Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Choudhary today laid foundation stone of a tube well at Hari Singh Park, Jammu.The Rs. 1.25 crore project executed by ERA comprises construction of tube-well, laying of water supply pipes in uncovered areas, establishment of pump room, and installation of electric transformers.Minister of State (MoS) for Education, Tourism, Culture, Horticulture and Floriculture, Priya Sethi, MLA Jammu East, Rajesh Gupta, MLC Ashok Khajuria and senior BJP leader, Yudhvir Sethi besides Superintendent Engineer PHE, I&FC and ERA were also present on the occasion.Speaking on the occasion, Sham said after completion of deep drill tube-well project, a population of about 20,000 souls of Hari Singh Park, Van Bhavan, Gujjar Nagar, Pandit Prem Nath Dogra Chowk, Below Gumat and its adjoining areas would get relief from shortage of drinking water.
He said the government has initiated a number of water supply schemes to provide pure drinking water to the people and overcome the problem in water scarce areas.The Minister further stated that the faster development of rural and urban areas has been prioritized by the government and focus is being laid on upgrading of road network, improvement of power scenario, expansion of irrigation facilities and provision for better Healthcare.Sham urged the people to use potable water judiciously so that all areas get adequate supply. He instructed the executing agency ERA to complete the project within stipulated timeframe.Speaking on the occasion, MoS Priya underlined the need for translating the benefits of various schemes from papers to ground level adding that access to safe drinking water is basic right of every individual. Reiterating the government’s commitment to provide basic amenities to people, she said clean drinking water for all has been accorded priority by the government.She asked the PHE authorities to increase the capacity of intake plants and complete all the ongoing works within stipulated time frame.