Secretary I&FC reviews flood management works

Secretary Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Irrigation and Flood Control (I&FC) Departments, Farooq Ahmed Shah, convened a meeting with officers and experts to discuss the flood management in the valley.

During the meeting, Shah sought suggestions including short-term plans as well as long-term plans which can be carried out to mitigate flood threat in future. Various ongoing works and the works that need to be carried out to mitigate flood threats were discussed threadbare in the meeting.

   

The meeting was attended by chief engineer (I&FC) Mir Muhammad Shahnawaz, Retd chief engineers N A Gandroo, Imtiyaz Ahmad Dhar, Retd chief project Engineer Mir Abdul Majid, SEs of Hydraulic division of various districts, executive engineers, President Adventure Tour Operators’ Association of Kashmir (ATOAK) Rauf Tramboo, and other concerned.

The secretary directed the officials to expedite the dredging work. “We have to assure our people that there is no need to worry. We have to work with proper planning to mitigate flood threats as we cannot afford the 2014 floods like situation,” Shah said, adding “After every 15 days, I will monitor the progress of various works being carried out by the department.”

He observed that there is a need to constitute an advisory council for the flood management. He also directed the officials to consult experts form IITs for the second opinion with regards to the mitigation of flood threats. “We need to work with a mission so that we can achieve the desired goals. We also have to infuse new vibrancy in the functioning of the department,” he said.

The secretary asked the concerned to frame a proposal with regards to the finance and the manpower needed to revamp and improve the functioning of I&FC Department.

Meanwhile, Shah  reviewed the progress on ongoing work of re-sectioning of the flood spill channel from Bemina to Naidkhai which is being carried out with an expenditure of Rs 82 crore. He emphasized 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.

During his visit to the re-sectioning site, Farooq Shah was informed that the overall dredging work shall be accelerated and two more machines shall be utilized for the purpose.

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