Cabinet Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond on Tuesday inspected Gaib di Pulli to evaluate water drainage conditions and ordered immediate re-cleaning to prevent drainage issues. He also directed National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officials via phone to urgently clear the drains along the Khanna highway and repair its damaged sections.
Additional Deputy Commissioner Khanna Shikha Bhagat, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Khanna Dr. Baljinder Singh Dhillon, SDO Jaskaran Singh Sekhon and others were also present. The Cabinet Minister stated that in 2023, due to the breach in the canal, water entered this area.
At that time, the administration worked round the clock, digging long trenches with JCB machines to divert the water from Gaib di Pulli to the fields outside. He said that so far, there is no cause for concern in Khanna.
He mentioned that the administration had already cleaned Gaib di Pulli before the rains. Sond accused National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for failing to repair the damaged roads despite collecting crores of rupees in toll tax from people.
He noted that letters have already been issued to NHAI officials regarding road repairs. He sternly warned NHAI officials that strict action will be taken against them if they failed to comply with the directions.
Sond also informed that on the directions of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, all Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, and leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party are working in the flood-affected areas.
He alleged that the central government has not so far reached out yet in Punjab which shows the state is always being given step-motherly treatment. He saluted the Punjabis for sending rations, drinking water, cattle fodder, medicines to the flood-affected areas.