Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 17: Minister for Housing, Horticulture, Culture, Youth Services and Sports, Raman Bhalla, today called upon the people of Ashram, Digiana, Gangyal, Thanger (T4) and Tributory of Thanger (TT4) areas in Jammu city to vacate the land of storm water drains voluntarily, adding that Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) has started construction of these drains under Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sewerage Drains Infrastructure Programme (JKUSDIP) and Storm Water Drains-01.
The Minister was interacting with people of Shanker Nagar after laying foundation stone for construction of 6750 meter long storm water drains, here today.
Mr. Bhalla asked ERA to gear up their men and machinery for completing the project well before the start of rainy season in 2015 so that the public and private infrastructure of the people is not damaged due to flash floods in storm water drains. He directed ERA to use quality material in construction of drains adding that any laxity on their part will not be tolerated. He said Government has resolved to provide concrete assets to the people in across the State.
Bhalla asked the Urban Engineering Environmental Department (UEED), Roads and Buildings (R&B) and Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) to restore the flood damages in a speedy manner. He said there is no constraint of funds under development sectors.
The Minister called upon the people to cooperate with the executing agency in timely completion of restoration work of the damaged infrastructure. He urged upon them to personally monitor the ongoing restoration projects in their respective localities.
Earlier, at Chatha Mill and Chatha Pind, Bhalla laid foundation stone for upgradation of Shamshan Ghat with the facilities of waiting shed, cremation shed, drinking water facilities, bathing ghat (tootian) and flooring tile in the premises besides construction of 300 meter long deep drain, for which Government has earmarked Rs. 60 lakh.
He asked the Jammu and Kashmir Housing Department and Rural Development Department to complete the projects of their respective department within stipulated time frame.
Enroute, several people met the Minister and projected development related problems of their respective areas.
Mr. Bhalla solved most of the projected problems on-the-spot and regarding construction of lanes, drains and removal of debris from nallah, he asked accompanying JMC officers to depute a team of safaikaramcharis for immediate desilting of nallah. He asked for regular teams of Safaikaramcharies for ensuring clean and healthy environment. He called upon the people to avoid littering inside the lanes and help in maintaining the locality neat and clean.
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