Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Choudhary and Minister for Health and Medical Education Bali Bhagat today directed the concerned officers to make a water channel along the left bank of river Tawi for diverting the water so that the damage can be reduced if any flood situation arises.While taking stock of measures being taken up by the department for dealing with any flood like situation in river Tawi, the Minister directed the officers to start work for making the alternative water channel immediately. He said that the work should be completed in a time frame manner as the level of water can rise in the river due to ongoing rains of monsoon.During the inspection, the Minister directed for proper monitoring of the water level in the river so that necessary measures can be taken for saving the lives of people living close to the river banks.
He said that quality of work should be maintained while executing flood protection works, besides completing the works within a stipulated time frame.In the day, the Minster convened a meeting to review the level of water flow in Ranbir canal, Partap Canal, Ravi-Tawi Irrigation Complex and their distributaries including D-9, D-10, D-10A and D-11.The Minister directed the AEEs to personally monitoring the level of water in these canals so that the farmers get sufficient water for irrigation during Kharif season.He further asked the officers to carry out extensive plantation drives along the canals and remove illegal pump sets there.Superintending Engineer (Hydraulics), Jammu KK Magotra and other engineers of the department were present in the meeting.