4407 Sewermen Round-The-Clock Restoring Sewerage Networks: Dr. Ravjot Singh
Chandigarh(The Uttam Hindu): Punjab Local Government Minister Dr. Ravjot Singh today informed that the department has mounted a wide-ranging flood relief and restoration campaign across the affected towns and villages. He said that apart from general measures such as debris clearance, carcass disposal, sewer cleaning and repair of public assets, the department has initiated targeted actions to ensure speed and efficiency in recovery efforts.
Dr. Ravjot Singh stated that each officer has been assigned a specific jurisdiction under an “Area Responsibility Plan” with directions to prepare a detailed account of damages to houses, shops, roads, sewerage and other infrastructure. Immediate steps for repair and restoration have already been initiated and tenders are being processed on war footing to enable early execution.
Highlighting measures for public health and safety, the Cabinet Minister said that stray animals are being systematically taken into custody by municipal teams. With the assistance of the Health Department, anti-rabies injections are being administered to stray dogs while vaccination drives for cattle and other animals are being organized in all affected areas. Special shelters have been identified to house stray cattle and animals until conditions return to normal. These steps are crucial to control stray animal movement, prevent infections and ensure humane care, he added.
Giving details of sanitation restoration, Dr. Ravjot Singh said that the Government has placed sewerage restoration at the centre of its relief operations. A total of 4,407 sewermen have been deployed round the clock across flood-affected Urban Local Bodies to clear clogged sewers and prevent health hazards. Mapping of sewer networks has been undertaken to identify heavily clogged and damaged stretches while modern machinery and manual intervention are being combined for large-scale de-silting. Critical institutions such as hospitals, schools, marketplaces and densely populated neighbourhoods are being accorded top priority.
He further pointed out that the safety and well-being of sewermen remains a top concern with protective gear, mechanized tools and medical support being provided to those working in hazardous conditions. Along with immediate clearance, repair of damaged sewer lines, manholes and pumping stations is underway to restore long-term functionality of the system.
The Cabinet Minister also mentioned that the relief campaign is not confined to sewerage alone. Restoration of damaged houses and shops under PMAY–Urban 2.0 has begun for eligible beneficiaries. Financial assistance is being extended to street vendors through a special campaign from September 17 to October 2 offering loans of Rs.10,000 with a total credit facility of up to Rs.80,000 under guarantee coverage.
Simultaneously, debris removal and scientific carcass disposal are being carried out to restore hygienic conditions while 543 fogging machines have been deployed for mass operations to curb vector-borne diseases, he added.
Dr. Ravjot Singh categorically said that daily monitoring reports are being compiled under the supervision of municipal engineers to ensure effective outcomes. He said that the entire operation is being closely monitored at both district and state levels. Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and Executive Officers are directly supervising progress while a centralized monitoring cell is tracking daily reports from ULBs to ensure transparency. Ward-level committees and community volunteers are also extending vital support in identifying blocked points and assisting in ground-level execution.