STATE TIMES NEWS
UDHAMPUR: Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Chaudhary on Saturday said that the State Government has taken various initiatives to ensure regular water supply to the rural areas of the State and efforts are afoot to construct new tubewells in the areas facing water scarcity.
The minister was interacting with the local people during inspection of PHE installations in rural areas of Udhampur District.
During inspection of PHE Station, Aitham Stage-I, it was found that the motors in the station were not working properly for the last few days. The minister directed the concerned officers to repair the defects as soon as possible and restore water supply to the area. He warned them of strict action in case of any laxity.
Pertinent to mention that the pumping station having a capacity of 10,000 gallons per hour supplies water to Aitham, Ladnan, Taid Garan, Sail Jagir, Japta, Pangal and other neighbouring villages.
On the occasion, the villagers demanded construction of an additional dug well in the area to cater to the ever increasing demand of drinking water.
Earlier, the minister inspected under construction tubewell scheme at Sambler. The proposed Water Supply Scheme (WSS) having a capacity of 7,000 GPH would be constructed at the cost of Rs. 1.98 crore.
After its commissioning, the WSS would benefit the people living in Challani, Sarora, Sangler and its adjoining areas.
On the occasion, the local people also projected other demands. They demanded construction of protection bunds along the main road to protect it from flooding from local stream. The minister directed the concerned officers to put studs in the river and take immediate remedial measures for providing relief to the people.
The minister said the government is committed to provide all basic amenities to the people at their doorsteps and top priority is being given to ensure safe drinking water, power supply and road connectivity to every habitation.
The minister also inspected Filtration Plant, Surinsar and directed the concerned officers to regularly monitor the filtration process so that the people get clean drinking water. The WSS, Surinsar having a capacity of 5,000 GPH supplies water to Chilla, Urkhal, Sagoon, Deon, Padal, Rajol, Surinsar and its adjoining areas.
The minister directed PHE functionaries to conduct regular inspection of pumping stations so that the field staff remains vigilant and works properly.
Later, the minister visited Water Supply Scheme, Channi Mansar which was wholly submerged during recent floods. The minister was informed that the WSS stops functioning every time, the flow of water increases in Gambhir Nallah.
The minister directed the concerned officers to construct concrete embankments to prevent the flood water from entering the installation.
The minister was accompanied by senior officers of PHE and Flood Control Departments during the visit.
