Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Aug 30: Col. Mahan Singh (retd), DDC Chairman Kathua visited several flood-affected areas, including Lakhanpur, Kaliwadi (Sahar Khad), Basantpur and Padunallha, to assess the damage and coordinate relief and restoration measures.
Accompanied by Raghunandan Singh Bablu, DDC Vice Chairman, DDC member, Karan Atri, Executive Engineer Flood Control Kathua, and other officials, the DDC Chairman also met DGP J&K Nilin Kohli and DC Kathua Rajesh Sharma to discuss restoration, reconstruction, and compensation for damaged roads, infrastructure and private property, including individual houses.
Col. Singh emphasized several urgent priorities, including engaging with the Government of Punjab to repair the breach at Madhopur Barrage, which caused substantial damage to the Kathua Main Canal, CRPF Complex, NH-44, Animal Husbandry Complex, and the DDC Office Complex at Lakhanpur. He also stressed the need for early restoration of the Madhopur-Lakhanpur NH-44 Bridge and Kalibari-Logate Bridge over Shar Khad by NHAI, as well as prompt repairs of damaged road stretches at Padunall, Dengi Simbli, Danni (Karanwada), Tikri (Basohli-Bani Road), and all local roads leading to block headquarters, commercial hubs and Panchayats.
The DDC Chairman called for a comprehensive compensation plan covering roads, buildings, individual houses, property and agricultural land, along with the restoration of mobile phone networks, electricity, PHE lines, and education and health infrastructure. He also highlighted the need to repair damaged infrastructure near NHPC Sewa II Project and barrage at Hutt Mashka, Bani, with NHPC authorities taking immediate action, while BRO authorities were requested to restore roads in Hiloy, Kandi and border areas.
Col. Singh further emphasized the urgent need for relief and rehabilitation of displaced persons and drew attention to the security vulnerabilities in border areas due to damage to fencing and forward defense lines. He stressed that these measures are crucial to safeguard lives, restore normalcy, and protect the district’s infrastructure following the recent floods.
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