Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Chaudhary today chaired a meeting to review the progress of ongoing works including construction of tube wells, overhead tanks, laying of water pipes and improvement of power supply at pumping stations.The Minister took a detailed review of 19 tube wells being constructed by Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) at Old university Complex, Hari Singh Park, Vijay Park at Nai Basti, PHE Complex at Gandhi Nagar, Fruit Mandi at Narwal, Sec-7 Channi Himmat, Sec-1 CPS Channi Himmat, Sainik Colony Sec-F, Ambica Colony near Satyam Resort, Malik Market, Channi Himmat School, Bandhurakh, CPS Narwal, Sainik Colony Sector-C, Bakshi Nagar, Bathing Ghat at Paloura, R1 Paloura, Rajinder Nagar and New Plot.The CEO, ERA assured the Minister that the agency will start the process of handing over of tube wells to the PHE department from October this year and all the tube wells will be commissioned as early as possible.In the meeting, the Minister said that the commissioning of these 19 tube wells in Jammu will put an end to the water scarcity once and for all.The Minister directed the officers of PDD department to repair the damaged transformers at the pumping stations immediately. He directed the PHE and PDD departments to work in unison, as it is impossible to supply water without electricity.
The Minister directed ERA to immediately restore the roads being dug for laying water pipes or building new projects for PHE department. The officers of PWD (R&B) informed the Minister that the works related to roads would be started only after the rainy season.Chief Engineer, PHE department Susheel Aima, Chief Engineer, Power Development Department, Ashwini Gupta, Chief Engineer PWD (R&B) Alok Mengi, CEO, ERA Vinod Sharma besides Senior Engineers and Executive Engineers of various allied departments were present in the meeting.Earlier, the Minister inspected Distributary-15 and 14 which provide water for irrigation to various villages including Shibuchak, Sheikhpur, Adhler, Kryal, Pawal, Mudole , Suhagpur Morchapur, Chak Keema, Chak Majra, Pachain, Khul, Kothey Kalyana and Molley Chak.The Minister directed the I&FC department to ensure that the farmers get adequate water for irrigation purposes during the paddy season. He also asked them to remove encroachments, besides carrying out plantation drives along the canals.Later, the Minister inspected Lift Irrigation Scheme, Pandorian and Main Ranbir Canal. He directed the officers to keep the motors functional round the clock for providing sufficient water for irrigation to the farmers.The Minister was accompanied by officers of Irrigation and Flood Control department during the visit.