Barinder Kumar Goyal on two-day tour of Doaba region to review flood protection works along Rivers
Inspects Rs.2.30-crore flood protection project at Banga Bait in SBS Nagar
Says, Punjab Govt spend Rs.450 crore to safeguard lives and property of people
Completion of this project will protect lives of over 2500 residents alongwith 10k acres of fertile agricultural land – Water Resources Minister
Residents thank Punjab Govt for carrying out biggest ever flood protection measures in this area
Chandigarh/Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, July 13 (WISHAVWARTA);-Punjab Water Resources, Mines and Geology and Land & Water Conservation Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal on Monday commenced a two-day tour of Doaba region as a part of statewide visits to assess the status of ongoing flood protection works being undertaken along rivers and other vulnerable locations.
As part of the tour, the Cabinet Minister accompanied by MLA Balachaur Santosh Kataria, visited village Banga Bait and Khoja Bait along the Sutlej River in Balachaur Sub Division and inspected recently completed flood protection works executed at a cost of Rs.2.30 crore. This project involved the construction of a 910 feet long flood protection revetment and eight studs on the Bandh to prevent riverbank erosion and strengthen the embankment.
Sh. Goyal said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government have spent over Rs. 450 crore on flood protection measures across the state, the highest-ever investment in strengthening river embankments and safeguarding people from flood disasters. The Cabinet Minister further stated that that flood protection works include 101 boulder and hybrid protection works, 17 embankment raising works, 22 embankment strengthening works, 188 drain cleaning works and five flood control gate operation works involving an overall expenditure of around Rs.450 crore.
Lashing out at previous governments for neglecting the critical issue of flood management, which had caused widespread devastation and hardship for years, Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said that the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has, for the first time, undertaken flood protection works on such a massive scale across the state. He asserted that the impact of the flood protection infrastructure costing crores of rupees is already visible and will significantly mitigate the impact of floods in vulnerable areas. Reiterating the government’s commitment, the Minister said there is no shortage of funds for safeguarding the lives, property and agricultural land of people residing along river banks.
Expressing satisfaction over the quality of this project, the Cabinet Minister said that this project at Banga Bait and Khoja Bait will provide protection to around 2,500 residents and nearly 10,000 acres of fertile agricultural land from floods and river erosion. The Cabinet Minister noted that the work became imperative after previous flook-like situation had caused erosion drastically thereby reducing the distance between the river berm and the embankment, posing a serious threat to adjoining villages. This project will also improve the river carrying capacity and floodwater management.
Reiterating the Punjab Government’s commitment to flood preparedness, Sh. Goyal said that a special committee had identified all the vulnerable points along rivers across Punjab based on previous floods, almost all of which have been strengthened on a war footing.
He directed officials to ensure strict monitoring of flood protection works and asserted that there is no shortage of funds for safeguarding lives, property and agricultural land from flood-related disasters.
MLA Balachaur Santosh Kataria, along with local residents, welcomed the Cabinet Minister on his arrival at the river site. She said that the newly completed flood protection works would go a long way in ensuring the safety and security of people during heavy rains and the monsoon season.
Expressing gratitude to the Punjab Government, local villagers remarked that they had never witnessed such extensive and comprehensive flood protection measures in the area before and hoped that these initiatives would provide lasting relief from the recurring threat of floods.
Superintending Engineer Drainage & Mining Amarinder Singh Pandher, Executive Engineer Tushar Goyal, SDO Harkamal Heera were present on the occasion.
