Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Chaudhary today directed the officers of the department to expedite flood protection works on vulnerable spots in river Chenab.He further said that all the flood protection works should be completed well before the water level in the river rises. The damaged revetments should be repaired immediately and new ones should be constructed, wherever necessary, to check loss of human life, livestock, agricultural land and property near the river, he added.The Minister issued these directions while inspecting ongoing flood protection works on vulnerable spots at Sangrampur, Gair, Bakore and Maira along river Chenab in Akhnoor.MLA, Akhnoor Rajeev Sharma, MLA, Chhamb Dr. Krishan Lal Bhagat, Commissioner/Secretary to Govt., PHE, I&FC Department Sanjeev Verma, Chief Engineer, PHE Susheel Aima, Chief Engineer, I&FC Rajeev Gandotra, SE Hydraulic K. K Mangotra, Executive Engineers and other senior officers of the department also accompanied the Minister during the visit.
The Minister further directed the engineers to maintain quality of works and execute them strictly according to the laid down guidelines. The Chief Engineer, I&FC should monitor the quality of works, besides ensuring that the works are completed within stipulated time frame, he added.It was informed that the total estimated cost of construction of flood protection works on vulnerable spots is 195.71 crore under which 3-tier/4-tier revetments and embankments would be constructed at 54 vulnerable spots on the left and right banks of river Chenab.Meanwhile, the Legislators also raised their concerns with the Minister regarding flood protection works and gave their valuable suggestions regarding the appropriate time that should be chosen for carrying out these works.Later, the Minister inspected Water Supply Scheme, Jourian and directed the concerned officers to submit the status report on stalled works at the pumping station.