JAMMU: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Choudhary on Tuesday urged the people to refrain from throwing garbage in the irrigation canals and water bodies, besides directing the concerned officers to take action against those who dump trash along the banks of the canals.
The minister issued these instructions while inspecting ongoing de-silting works at various sites on Ranbir canal.
He further asked the officers to expedite the ongoing de-silting work so that water can reach agricultural fields without any interruption, besides ensuring that de-silting is done upto the canal bed.
Later, the minister also inspected various PHE establishments including PHE Medical Sub-Division, Central Pumping Station Muthi, PHE Tubewell and Pumping Station Kot II Purkhoo, PHE Sub-Division Office Bhalwal at Bulma and Water Pumping Station Mandi Yard.
During the visit, the minister said the government has taken various path-breaking initiatives to address the drinking water problem in Jammu in the ensuing summer season. He directed the officers to remain on their toes to ensure successful implementation of these initiatives.
He further asked them to detect leakages in water pipes and repair them immediately so that the wastage of water can be checked and people get clean drinking water regularly.
During the inspection of various PHE establishments, the minister asked the officers to keep their tour diaries updated and display a list of staff working in their respective offices so that people can contact them whenever they face any difficulty related to water supply. Assistant Executive Engineers should sit in their respective sub-division offices while Junior Engineers should remain present in their section Headquarters, he added.
The senior officers of the department accompanied the Minister during the visit.