Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, June 17: Deputy Commissioner, Reasi, Charandeep Singh, today conducted a virtual meeting with Railway Authorities to resolve issues hindering the ongoing work on Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Railway Line (USBRL), besides taking stock of the progress on the prestigious project.
B.K Sharma DyCE/Anji from Northern Railways and Nilanakshan.P DyCE/HQ/Reasi from KRCL attended the meeting in person, while 21 participants from various agencies attended the meeting through virtual mode.
During the meeting, the DC inquired about water scarcity and damage to land caused due to digging of tunnels and dumping of excavated material in villages adjacent to the project area as complained by villagers of Khanikote area.
In this regard, the concerned company namely M/s VCCL was directed to construct a diversion channel so that the water could be provided to the villagers.
The Deputy Commissioner asked the contractor agency to refrain from dumping of construction material and waste on any un-acquired site. Moreover. He issued instructions to the concerned companies to prepare a strategy to compensate for depleting groundwater-table in the nearby locations where construction works are being carried out.
He asked railway authorities to take concrete measures for water conservation as part of Corporate Social Responsibility to benefit the public.
While inquiring about local employment issues and about the number of locals engaged by them, the DC asked the companies to organise a joint job fair to engage more locals to send a good message to the public .
Apart from these issues, the Deputy Commissioner was also apprised about the problems faced by the construction companies, including the shortage of sand for construction works. The Deputy Commissioner assured them that this issue will be resolved at the earliest and also informed them about the commissioning of two Minor Mineral blocks in Arnas area.
While directing concerned officers to expedite the pace of work, the DC impressed upon them to adhere to SOPs to contain the spread of Covid infection.