Chandigarh, July 24: To further augment the flood control mechanism in the state, Punjab Water Resources Department has completed 88 per cent of the work of cleaning drains. So far, 1780.49 kms length of drains have been cleaned and another 48 projects of flood protection are in progress and are likely to complete by end of this month. EC bags have also been stacked at all the vulnerable sites along rivers in order to meet with any eventuality during monsoon season. Punjab Water Resources Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria gave this information after reviewing the ongoing cleaning of drains and flood control works.
Sarkaria said that Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh led Punjab Government is not leaving any stone unturned in effective flood protection mechanism to check flooding during this monsoon season.
The State Government has spent Rs. 50 crore on widespread flood management measures and also gave approval for funds to the tune of Rs. 5 crore to the Deputy Commissioners and Rs. 5 crore to the Chief Engineer/Drainage for emergent rescue, relief and rehabilitation measures during the monsoon, he added.
Cleaning of 1780.49 kms of the total proposed 2018.79 kms of drains has been completed so far, Mr. Sarkaria said, adding that Water Resources Department also undertook 48 Flood Protection Works. All these works are likely to complete by end of July, 2020, he added.
Reviewing flood preparation and response mechanism, Water Resources Minister asked the officials to further strengthen the flood control room and properly equip it for prompt response to any exigency. He also directed timely completion of ongoing cleaning of drains and flood protection works.
