Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 26: In a major development towards controlling flash floods in River Tawi during monsoon, Division Bench of High Court comprising First Puisne Judge Justice Rajesh Bindal and Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur has directed Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Jammu to communicate with National Institute of Hydrology, an expert body which is engaged in guidance on control of floods in rivers, to obtain suggestions.
While hearing the PIL filed by the inhabitants of villages Barjala and Khandwal, Division Bench expressed deep concern over the indifferent attitude of Irrigation and Flood Control Department, which was earlier directed to communicate with the Ministry of Jal Shakti Govt of India for seeking their advice giving all the details for control of floods in River Tawi and also number of rivers in the State where crores of rupees are spent annually for construction of retaining walls to control the floods.
Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed with Advocates Rahul Raina, Supriya Chouhan and Mohd. Zulkarnain Chowdhary appearing for the petitioners submitted that neither Irrigation and Flood Control Department has come up with the status report nor the Ministry of Jal Shakti has filed the detailed report as per the directions issued by the Division Bench on the last date of hearing.
Assistant Solicitor General of India (ASGI) Vishal Sharma alongwith Dy. Director Central Water Commission Rakesh Gupta appearing for Ministry of Jal Shakti and Central Water Commission submitted that Union of India is ready to take effective steps towards the issue raised in the PIL provided the State formally approaches the Ministry of Jal Shakti alongwith requisite details.
The ASGI further submitted that he has already conveyed the concern of the Division Bench and the issue raised in the PIL to the Ministry of Jal Shakti, GOI and the response is awaited.
During the course of hearing, it was pointed out that National Institute of Hydrology is the expert body which can give guidance on control of floods in rivers.
After hearing both the sides, Division Bench directed Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control Department, Jammu to communicate with National Institute of Hydrology about the problem of floods being faced in River Tawi.
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