Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 19: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma today reviewed the status of various ongoing development projects and schemes as well as action taken in the previous meeting.
The meeting was attended by Chief Engineer, PHE, K K Gupta, Chief Engineer, I&FC, Varinder Badyal, Chief Engineer, Ravi Tawi, H C Terath, SE Hydraulic, Rajesh Malhotra, SE Mechanical, Sunil Gupta, all SEs and Executive Engineers of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Jammu division.
The meeting held detailed discussion on various aspects relating to the development of new PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control schemes in the uncovered areas across Jammu division. He also took stock of drinking water supply, functioning of irrigation tube wells, works taken up for the revival of traditional water bodies and ponds, water quality testing at PHE installations, action plan for new schemes, water supply to every schools, progress on Chenab water supply scheme, functioning of communication and capacity development unit, installation of water meters, status of Surinsar, Mansar, Dansar and Nai Gud Schemes etc.
The Minister also reviewed the irrigation sector and took stock of progress on Hans Canal, Naigud, Veeripatlan and Kathua Canal.
Sham reviewed overall situation arisen due to recent rains and floods and was informed by the concerned Chief Engineer about the status of damage caused in the flood and irrigation sector. He directed the concerned authorities to submit their area wise damage report with videos and photographs to the concerned DDC.
The Minister was apprised that Rs. 20 crore losses have been registered in various districts including Jammu in PHE sector. He also had feedback from the Executive Engineers of Rajouri, Poonch, Udhampur, Kathua, Ramban, Reasi, Samba and Jammu PHE about the status of supply and demand.
The Minister stressed upon the Chief Engineers of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control as well as Ravi Tawi Irrigation Department Jammu to personally monitor functioning of various ongoing schemes and activities of the field functionaries for effective implementation of the programmes.
Sham said that access to safe drinking water is the right of every common man and the Government is committed to extend facility of potable drinking water to each nook and corner of the state. He directed all the executive engineers to submit their progress report and action taken of various development programme to their concerned CEs with detail of the ground level monitoring and improvement in working of their field staff.
The Minister directed the concerned engineers to take up the restoration works on Tawi canal and Balole nallaha which have faced damage due to recent flash floods.
The Minister asked the engineers to personally monitor the restoration works on traditional water reservoirs and ponds as these would greatly help in meeting the water requirements.