Baramulla, October 27 (KNO) : Secretary PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Farooq Ahmad Shah on Saturday chaired a meeting here convened to review the physical and financial achievements made during current fiscal in various ongoing schemes and projects of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control undertaken under various Centrally and State-sponsored schemes. On the occasion, Secretary was briefed about the progress with regard to various ongoing schemes being executed in district Baramulla. It was given out that a total of 66 schemes in Irrigation sector and 29 schemes in PHE sector are under execution in the district. Meanwhile, Secretary emphasized upon the concerned authorities to complete the ongoing works within the stipulated time frame. He urged upon all the officers and engineers of the department to work with added zeal and zest in order to ensure timely completion of all ongoing projects. He said that no lapse of any kind shall be tolerated in such vital projects of public importance. Secretary directed SE Irrigation to ensure proper irrigation facilities besides the initiation of protection work at all canals.
He directed for completion of all approved languishing schemes at an earliest. Farooq Shah laid stress on strict implementation of the sustainability programme which is aimed at conserving the existing PHE schemes for a longer period. He directed the engineers to take all possible steps to improve the efficiency of schemes so that they serve their purpose. He also stressed the need for improving the work culture at the grass root level to provide better services to the people.The meeting was told that Watlab Water Supply Scheme for Sopore Town which is under execution, shall be commissioned by 30th of April 2019.While highlighting the economic significance of River Jhelum, Shah directed the engineers to keep vigil on the banks of river Jhelum and its flood channel to keep a check on illegal constructions and to curb unauthorised extraction of sand and minerals. He directed for the widening of the river upto 30 meters. Reiterating upon the Government’s commitment for providing safe and potable drinking water to each household, Farooq Shah said that government is working on measures to augment the existing resources to meet the gaps between demand and supply. Chief Engineer I&FC, District Development Commissioner Baramulla, Director Planning Baramulla, Executive Engineer and other officers of the department were present in the meeting.(KNO)