Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Tuesday visited the flood prone areas along with the Ghaggar river to take stock of the preparations to check flood at the ground level.
The Chief Minister accompanied by the top officers of the state government visited the areas along with Ghaggar river to check the arrangements being made to avert floods. He said that it was a deviation from the earlier times when the head of the state visited the areas once they were flooded. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the earlier leaders also used these opportunities shamelessly for photo ops thereby hardly giving any relief to the people.
However, the Chief Minister said that in sharp contrast to it he has visited the flood prone areas to assess the ongoing work to avert floods. He said that this will ensure that the work for protection from floods is done effectively and the no loss of life and property is caused to people. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that his government has been given whopping mandate by the people of the state to serve them and he is leaving no stone unturned for it.
Interacting with the people Chief Minister also said that in order to avert floods in the state the Punjab government has taken historic initiative to design the discharge of Choes/Torrents/Rivers as per 100 years flood discharge and accordingly notifying the flood plains of the Rivers and drains/choes under The
Northern India Canal and Drainage Act. He said that likewise Strengthening of main Embankments of rivers and Restriction of works on advance bundh has also been ensured. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that for emergency response system data base of people such as bag suppliers, wire binders, earth moving equipment’s, tractor trolley owners, divers and local volunteers has been compiled for tackling emergency situation.
The Chief Minister said that empty cement bags and filled bags are being planned to be stored at strategic locations for emergent use. Bhagwant Singh Mann further said that Bamboo plantations are being carried out on inner slopes of rivers to check the floods. Likewise, he said that Obstruction caused by NHAI, B&R and Mandi Board to the sheet flow of the flood waters have been identified and are being removed.
The Chief Minister said that being a common man he understands the ground realities of the state and the hardships being faced by the people. He said that his every endeavour is aimed at ensuring the welfare of common man for which no stone is being left unturned. Bhagwant Singh Mann said ensuring the well being of people along with the progress and prosperity is the top priority of his government.
The Chief Minister further said that his government will ensure storage of more than 2.5 lakh sand bags at various locations on the banks of Ghaggar river in Sangrur district to avert breaches. He further said that the roads which were damaged due to floods will be repaired soon and survey for this has already been started adding that the road connecting Moonak to Khanauri via Mandvi will also be strengthened soon. Bhagwant Singh Mann also announced the upgradation of government high school Makorad Sahib to Senior Secondary level
