Chandigarh, March 15 – Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has directed all deputy commissioners to ensure the cleaning of drains and desilting of canals before the monsoon season to prevent waterlogging. He also instructed them to regularly review ongoing flood control projects and ensure timely completion. Any delays or shortcomings should result in strict action against the responsible officials.
Chief Minister Saini issued these directives while chairing the 56th meeting of the Haryana State Drought Relief and Flood Control Board. Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Shruti Chaudhary was also present at the meeting.
Focus on Strengthening Infrastructure
Saini emphasized the importance of building stone studs and stone lining, remodeling drains, constructing permanent pump houses, and laying pipelines in low-lying areas to manage floodwaters effectively. He ordered the strengthening of river embankments near villages and stressed the need for stone studs to prevent soil erosion. He also directed the creation of an online portal to monitor stone studs’ condition. Any negligence found should lead to strict action, including filing FIRs against contractors.
Ban on Discharging Sewage into the Yamuna
The Chief Minister instructed that no sewage or polluted water should flow into the Yamuna River, emphasizing the collective responsibility to keep it clean. He directed deputy commissioners of Panipat, Sonipat, Palwal, and Yamunanagar to establish sewage treatment plants (STPs) to prevent untreated water from entering the Yamuna. He also called for the monitoring and maintenance of six STPs at Masani Barrage in Rewari.
Fair Distribution of Irrigation Water
Saini stressed the need for fair and efficient distribution of irrigation water across the state. He instructed officials to manage all available water sources properly to ensure consistent supply to farmers. He also ordered the cleaning and repair of major canals and instructed that a priority list be created for pending projects to ensure their completion.
₹657.99 Crore Approved for Flood Control Projects
The board approved 352 flood control projects worth ₹657.99 crore under the State Head and HWRA Fund. Saini directed the immediate start of short-term projects, including the purchase of pumps, with a completion deadline of June 30. Medium- and long-term projects proposed by the Irrigation and Water Resources Department will begin after a pre-monsoon review meeting in May.
Encouraging Crop Diversification
Saini urged officials to launch awareness campaigns to encourage farmers to shift from water-intensive crops like paddy to alternative crops. He emphasized the need to conserve water resources while improving farmers’ economic prospects.
Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, Additional Chief Secretary and Financial Commissioner of Revenue and Disaster Management Dr. Sumita Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Arun Kumar Gupta, and several senior officials from various departments were present at the meeting.
