Punjab minister reviews flood preparedness, says govt has strengthened flood protection measures

Chandigarh, Jul 7 (PTI) Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal on Tuesday reviewed the state's flood preparedness and monsoon management, saying the government has strengthened flood protection measures and is fully prepared to deal with any flood-related emergency. Chairing a high-level meeting at the Water Resources Department headquarters, Goyal directed officials to maintain round-the-clock vigil at flood-prone locations and ensure the timely completion of all flood protection works before the peak monsoon period. He said the government has put in place a robust monitoring and response mechanism to safeguard human lives, agricultural land and public infrastructure during the monsoon season. The minister reviewed flood protection and drainage management works across the state, including drain cleaning, boulder and hybrid protection works, raising and strengthening of embankments, operation of flood control gates and other flood mitigation measures at vulnerable locations. He instructed the officials to keep continuous watch on rivers, drains, embankments and flood protection structures and take immediate corrective action wherever vulnerabilities are identified. Reviewing the progress of desilting works, Goyal directed the officers to complete all pending works before the peak monsoon to ensure smooth drainage and prevent waterlogging during heavy rainfall. The officials informed the meeting that the state is executing flood protection works worth about Rs 414.75 crore. These include 101 boulder and hybrid protection works, 17 embankment raising projects, 22 embankment strengthening works, 188 drain-cleaning works and five flood control gate operation projects. The minister asked all field officers to remain on high alert throughout the monsoon season and ensure swift response to emergencies while maintaining quality standards in the execution of works. He said the state government is fully prepared to tackle any flood-related situation through the timely completion of protection works, continuous field monitoring and coordination with all concerned departments and agencies. Principal Secretary Krishan Kumar, Chief Engineer (Drainage) Hardeep Singh Mendiratta and other senior officials attended the meeting. PTI VSD KSS KSS