₹637.25 crore approved for 388 flood control projects; stronger river embankments and UP-style stone studs to check erosion
Chandigarh, December 31 — Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday directed officials to ensure timely cleaning of all drains across the state before the onset of the monsoon to effectively deal with potential waterlogging and flood situations. He made it clear that any delay or negligence in flood control projects would invite strict action against the responsible officers. The Chief Minister also instructed Deputy Commissioners to regularly monitor all flood-related works.
Chairing the 57th meeting of the Haryana State Drought Relief and Flood Control Board, the Chief Minister approved 388 flood control schemes worth ₹637.25 crore. These include 59 projects amounting to ₹102 crore proposed by Deputy Commissioners. Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shyam Singh Rana was also present at the meeting.
Referring to the severe incidents of waterlogging and floods witnessed in the state in 2023 and again in 2025, the Chief Minister said the administration must learn from past experiences and prepare well in advance. He directed officials to ensure thorough drain cleaning and to immediately address any local issues, noting that sufficient time is currently available for preventive measures.
To strengthen flood protection, the Chief Minister ordered the reinforcement of river embankments and the construction of strong stone studs on the pattern followed in Uttar Pradesh to prevent land erosion. He said all new stone studs this year should be built using modern technology to enhance the effectiveness of flood mitigation works. He also instructed departments to keep gunny bags filled with gravel ready for immediate use at vulnerable erosion-prone sites. The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of stone stud works carried out by the department over the past ten years.
Strict directions were also issued to prevent polluted water from entering the Yamuna River. The Chief Minister said that under no circumstances should untreated sewage or drain water be discharged into the river. He directed officials to identify all outfall points and expedite the construction of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) to ensure only treated water flows into the Yamuna. He also called for the early completion of work to enhance the capacity of the Bhiwani–Ghaggar drain.
The Chief Minister conducted a detailed review of flood control schemes that could not be completed on time and instructed officials to expedite their execution. He directed that tenders for all approved projects must be issued by the end of January and said a separate review meeting on the issue would be held soon.
Emphasising the reuse of treated water, Nayab Singh Saini asked all concerned departments to jointly explore possibilities for supplying treated water to agricultural fields. He said the reuse of treated water, whether for industrial or agricultural purposes, is a collective responsibility of all departments.
The meeting was attended by Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Rajesh Khullar, Financial Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) Dr Sumita Mishra, Additional Chief Secretary (Environment) Sudhir Rajpal, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Arun Kumar Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary (Irrigation) Anurag Aggarwal, Additional Chief Secretary (Town and Country Planning and Urban Estates) A.K. Singh, Additional Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr Saket Kumar, OSD to the Chief Minister Bharat Bhushan Bharti, and other senior officials.
