Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal Choudhary chaired a meeting of officers of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Departments here today to review the progress of various projects under implementation.Minister of State for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Syed Farooq Ahmad Andrabi was also present in the meeting.The Minister took detailed review of overall functioning of the department and got first hand appraisal of the pace of works scheme-wise. He asked the concerned for resumption of work on the projects under PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control sectors ensuring timely completion for the benefit of the people.Taking review of laying of water pipes from source to Nishat Filtration Plant, the Minister asked the executing agency ERA to expedite the pace of work and complete it in set time frame as it has already missed its first deadline. He said the completion of 18 km long raw water pipeline would go a long way in saving the electricity used for lifting the water and would also provide regular water supply to the Filtration Plant.
Stressing the need for completion of on-going projects for the benefit of people, the Minister also directed the concerned for taking up the projects of public importance within the available resources. Expressing satisfaction over the working of department in maintaining public service during the recent law and order situation, the Minister asked the officers and officials of the department to work with zeal and dedication for the people.
The Minister asked for engaging more dredgers in river Jhelum, saying that it would go a long way in increasing the carrying capacity of river Jhelum and would also reduce to a large extent the flood threat to Valley.
Minister of State for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control also expressed satisfaction over the working of the department, saying that the employees remain available on their respective destinations and made every effort to provide potable water to people despite tough times. He also directed the concerned for preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPR) under PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control sectors and their submission to the concerned quarters for formal approval. He also asked the employees to report on duty.The meeting was informed that almost all the PHE and Irrigation schemes were functional during the law and order situation in valley.Among others Secretary, PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Mr. Sanjeev Verma, Chief Engineer, PHE, Kashmir, Chief Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control, Kashmir, besides concerned Superintendant Engineers and Executive Engineers of Kashmir province attended the meeting.