Mundian and Goyal direct immediate deployment of additional machinery to restore Satluj river flow
Chandigarh/Ludhiana/Jalandhar(The Uttam Hindu): Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal and Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian today inspected the ongoing desilting works in the Satluj river at Sasrali Colony in Ludhiana district.
The Cabinet Ministers directed immediate deployment of additional resources including specialized floating excavators, poclains and JCBs to expedite removal of silt deposits and restore the river to its original course. Notably, the Punjab Government has already deployed advanced floating excavators to divert the flow of the river back to its natural route.They further instructed mobilization of all available resources and machinery to ensure speedy restoration of the river flow and prevent further silt accumulation.
The Ministers said that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, all the Cabinet Ministers, MLAs and officers are working tirelessly for the relief and rehabilitation of flood-affected people. They reaffirmed that the Government remains fully committed to providing timely support for their resettlement.
The Cabinet Ministers assured, compensation to all affected families will be disbursed within 45 days, adding that special girdawari is already being carried out on a war footing to assess the losses in the affected areas.
Later, Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian visited village Sahibana and handed over Rs.50,000 from his salary to Balbir Singh for urgent repair of his flood-damaged roof. He also announced that the Punjab Government would release additional funds to further assist Balbir Singh.
Jalandhar: Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal also visited village Mandala Chhana to review the strengthening of Dhussi Bundh where large-scale relief operations are underway with support from the Drainage Department, hundreds of volunteers, the local Sangat and Army personnel. He was accompanied by Member of Parliament Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal and Additional Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh.
The Water Resources Minister stated that to secure this crucial bundh along the Satluj, dedicated teams of Jalandhar Administration, Drainage Department and Army units are working round the clock under the supervision of Rajya Sabha MP Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal. He added that there is no shortage of resources as the Government has ensured uninterrupted supply of material and manpower. Lauding the relentless efforts of the administration, Army, SDRF and Sangat, he said further strengthening work will be undertaken once the water level recedes.