Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 30: MLA Akhnoor on Saturday undertook an extensive tour of flood-affected areas of Garkhal and Pargwal, accompanied by former Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Singh, DDC Vice Chairman, Suraj Singh Bhau, Tehsildar Manjeet Singh, BDO Naveel Hamdani, and senior engineers including Sanjeev Sharma (Executive Engineer PWD), Sunil Baogia (AEE PWD) along with engineers from the Flood Control, PHE, PDD and PWD Departments.
The delegation, which also included senior BJP leaders and local representatives, visited Rakh Kharoon, Fattu Kotli, Sidherwan, Jajial, Jamana Bela, Sajwal, Chibbe Kothe, Gurha Manhasa, Garjal, Hamirpur Kona, Deora, Takwal, Pindi and Chak Phagwari, to assess the large-scale damage caused by the swelling waters of river Chenab.
At Fattu Kotli, the MLA noted that dozens of houses were completely washed away while hundreds of people had to be rescued and shifted to Akhnoor. He later inspected the restoration work of the Garkhal road – the only lifeline connecting Pargwal to the rest of Jammu – which had remained disconnected for four days due to severe damage.
The MLA directed officials of PWD, PDD and PHE to restore road connectivity, power supply and drinking water at the earliest. Tehsildar and BDO were instructed to prepare a detailed damage report. He assured the people that their concerns, including demands for compensation to farmers cultivating custodian land without ownership rights, will be raised before the Union Home Minister, Amit Shah during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday.
Emphasizing the need for long-term solutions, the MLA said he would push the Union Government for the channelisation of Chenab to prevent recurring floods and also stressed the early completion of the much-awaited Pargwal-Indripattan bridge to avoid future disconnections of this densely populated border area. He praised the role of local youth in rescuing not only civilians but also BSF jawans during the calamity.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Nirmal Singh reiterated that BJP stands firmly with the people of Jammu and Kashmir during this natural disaster. He said the party is assessing flood damage across the Union Territory and will present a comprehensive report to the Centre seeking a special relief package. He urged the UT administration to immediately release restoration funds to bring public life back to normalcy.
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