Haryana's Energy, Transport, and Labour Minister Anil Vij was seen in full action mode today in Ambala Cantonment despite the intense heat of 41°C. Along with the Deputy Commissioner and other officials, he spent nearly four hours inspecting rivers, drains, channels, and pumping stations to personally assess flood-control preparations and the actual situation on the ground.
During the inspection, several locations revealed incomplete departmental preparations, which angered the minister. At many places, large cleaning and excavation machines were operating when the minister arrived. However, local residents claimed that no machines had been working there until a few days ago.
Irrigation Department officials responded by saying that the machines had only been deployed two days earlier. Reacting sharply, Anil Vij remarked that it seemed the departments remembered the cleaning work only after the inspection schedule was announced, so that activity would be visible during the visit.
Officials Shown the Ground Reality; Seven-Day Countdown Begins
After the field inspection, Minister Vij sent a clear message that excuses would no longer be accepted. He instructed Deputy Commissioner Ajay Singh Tomar to form a high-level committee that would revisit all the locations inspected on Saturday after seven days. The committee will prepare a report detailing:How much work was completed within a week, Which instructions were implemented, Which officials were negligent.
The report will be submitted directly to Minister Anil Vij
Sh.Vij said that inspections are meaningful only when their results are visible on the ground. If deficiencies are corrected in time, Ambala Cantonment can be largely protected from potential flooding and waterlogging. He also encouraged officials by announcing that officers who perform exceptionally well would be honored on the upcoming Independence Day.
Minister's Anger Erupts Over Causeway at Ghasitpur on the Tangri River
Minister Anil Vij appeared particularly upset after inspecting the causeway built at Ghasitpur on the Tangri River. He pointed out to officials how the small causeway becomes a major obstruction to water flow during the rainy season.When it became apparent that no concrete action had been taken to remove it, the minister strongly reprimanded the officials.
He immediately ordered the causeway to be demolished and directed that a temporary wooden bridge be constructed instead, ensuring both uninterrupted public movement and unobstructed flow of rainwater. While inspecting the Gudgudia drain near the Railway Colony, Minister Vij showed officials that the main drain was heavily clogged with bushes and silt.
The drainage channel had become narrow and could create serious problems during the monsoon. Later, while inspecting drains under the Railway Department and Cantonment Board, the minister highlighted that at several locations large drains suddenly narrowed, restricting water flow.
Officials assured him that corrective action would be taken soon. Sh. Vij warned that unless the width and carrying capacity of these drains were increased, rainwater would flow back into residential areas, causing severe waterlogging. Minister Anil Vij began his inspection at the Babiyal Pump House.
He then visited Chandpura Bridge, Embankments along the Tangri River, Mahesh Nagar Pump House, Mahesh Nagar Drain, Rambagh Road Drain, 12 Cross Road Drain, Gudgudia Drain near Yadav Dharamshala, Water drainage arrangements at Ghasitpur on the Tangri River, Railway Colony area and Drains in the military area.
During the nearly four-hour inspection marathon, officials were taken to every location that has historically faced waterlogging or drainage issues during the monsoon season.
“We Need Results, Not Reports Anymore” Minister Anil Vij's Message to Officials
At the conclusion of the inspection, Minister Anil Vij's message was clear: flood control and drainage management can no longer rely solely on files and meetings.A review of the same locations will take place again after seven days, and this time officials will be evaluated not on departmental claims, but on visible results and actual work completed on the ground.