Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Ajnala Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, along with a delegation of sarpanches from the Ajnala constituency, today met Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil and urged the Central Government to take immediate steps towards the construction of a dam on the Ujh River in Jammu and Kashmir to protect Ajnala from recurring floods.
During the meeting, Dhaliwal highlighted the long-standing difficulties faced by the people of Ajnala due to the waters of the Ujh River. He said that the river has repeatedly caused flooding and destruction in Ajnala, severely affecting the lives and livelihoods of people in the region.
He further said, “The continuous threat of floods has also affected the economic development of the region. No one is willing to establish industries in an area where there is a constant fear of floods and destruction. The people of Ajnala deserve permanent protection from this recurring crisis and a clear path towards sustainable development.”
Dhaliwal said, “The Ujh River repeatedly floods the area and has caused destruction on several occasions. Several generations of our people have suffered from floods, and we want to protect ourselves permanently from this recurring crisis. For this, there must be proper management of the Ujh River.”
He said the delegation raised the issue of constructing a dam on the Ujh River so that the water flowing towards Punjab can be regulated and the recurring threat of floods in Ajnala can be reduced.
Explaining the importance of the project, he said, “The construction of the Ujh Dam will provide a permanent solution to the recurring flood threat to a large extent. Along with flood control, the project will generate electricity, provide canals for irrigation and create employment opportunities for the youth. This can become a major step towards the economic and social development of the border region.”
Dhaliwal said that he had already taken up the issue with the Governors of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. He added that the meeting with the Union Jal Shakti Minister was held to directly raise the demand before the Central Government and seek early action on the long-pending project.
Dhaliwal said the people of Ajnala have been facing the consequences of recurring floods for generations and deserve a permanent solution. He urged the Central Government to move forward with the Ujh Dam project at the earliest in the interest of the people of the border region.
