Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 25 Jun: Officials and employees of the Irrigation Department are continuously monitoring the water levels of all major rivers in the state. Flood Control Rooms have been established at district headquarters. During the monsoon season, road blockages often force a large number of people to wait for hours until routes are reopened. In such situations, officials will remain alert, ensure the prompt restoration of roads, and keep alternative routes ready. This is in line with Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s objective that all departments work with complete dedication and ensure immediate solutions to travel disruptions during the monsoon.
These remarks were made by Public Works and Irrigation Minister Satpal Maharaj on Thursday during a review meeting on monsoon preparedness held with officials of the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Irrigation Department at the Irrigation Department Auditorium in Yamuna Colony. Addressing the officials, he said that, if departments work with vigilance and preparedness, the monsoon season can pass without major disruptions.
Speaking to the media after the review meeting, Maharaj stated that Flood Control Rooms have been established at all district headquarters, and a Central Flood Control Room in Dehradun is operating round the clock. Through this central control room, daily data on river water levels and rainfall are being collected from all districts, while continuous monitoring is being carried out at sensitive locations.
The Irrigation Minister said that a total of 113 flood outposts were established before 15 June in coordination with district administrations. Additionally, 304 flood- and waterlogging-prone locations have been identified across the state. Prior to the monsoon, channelisation work at flood-sensitive river stretches is being carried out with the support of district administrations.
To address drainage issues in various cities of the state, GIS-based Storm Water Master Drainage Plans have been prepared. Drainage work in the Bhagwanpur Industrial Area of Haridwar district has already been completed. Continuous monitoring is being maintained on dams under the control of the Irrigation Department. Emergency stocks of boulders, riverbed material (RBM), and sand have been arranged at appropriate locations, and wireless stations are also operational at reservoirs.
PWD Minister Satpal Maharaj further stated that officials have been directed to ensure that, if any road is closed during the monsoon, advance information should be provided to travellers at preceding stations so that they can use alternative routes to reach their destinations. Considering the monsoon season, the department has also been instructed to ensure proper maintenance of all roads across the state.
Under the road patchwork programme, the department has completed 3,968 patchwork projects, exceeding the target of 3,946. There are 1,199 roads that are affected during every monsoon season, and instructions have been issued to keep alternative routes ready for them. Adequate availability of JCB machines has also been ensured across road networks.
The review meeting was attended by PWD Additional Secretary Vineet Kumar, Mahavir Chauhan, Irrigation Additional Secretary Garima Raunkli, PWD Chief Engineer Ramesh Chandra Sharma, Irrigation Chief Engineer Subhash Kumar Pandey, and several other officials from both departments. Officials from PWD and the Irrigation Department stationed at district headquarters also participated virtually.
