Keep Machinery and Other Arrangements for Drainage Fully Ready: Ranbir Gangwa
Chandigarh: Haryana Public Health Engineering and Public Works (Buildings and Roads) Minister Ranbir Gangwa has directed the officers of the Public Health Engineering Department not to leave headquarters in view of the rainy season and to continuously monitor arrangements for water drainage. He said that availability of machinery, pipes, motors and other essential resources should be ensured in advance so that waterlogging does not occur in any area during rainfall and immediate action can be taken whenever required.
Cabinet Minister Ranbir Gangwa held a meeting with senior officers of the Public Health Engineering Department at his office on Wednesday to review various issues related to drainage during rainfall, drinking water arrangements, water tanks, departmental infrastructure and water conservation. During the meeting, he also obtained circle-wise information about the arrangements made for drainage in various circles of the state during the recent rainfall. Chief Engineer of the department Devender Dahiya and other Chief Engineers were present during the meeting, while SEs, SDOs and other officers from across the state joined virtually.
He directed the officers to make effective use of available machinery, including super sucker machines and jetting machines, to make drainage more effective. At the same time, adequate quantities of pipes, motors and other essential equipment should be kept ready so that immediate action can be taken at the spot in case of any problem during rainfall.
Minister Gangwa said that in view of the month of Sawan and continuous rainfall, officers should not leave headquarters under any circumstances and should continuously monitor arrangements in their respective areas. He said that if any problem related to waterlogging or drainage arises during rainfall, its immediate resolution should be ensured.
Plan to be Prepared for Upgradation of Old Water Tanks
Cabinet Minister Ranbir Gangwa, while taking information about the condition of damaged water tanks and old brick-built water tanks across the state, directed the officers to immediately send their circle-wise data to headquarters. He said that estimates for the upgradation of such water tanks should also be prepared immediately so that, after completion of the departmental approval process, work for their improvement and upgradation can be started at the earliest. He said that this would help provide better and clean drinking water to the general public.
PHE Should Prepare Life-Cycle Planning of Infrastructure on the Lines of Roads
Cabinet Minister Ranbir Gangwa said that just as the Public Works Department undertakes advance planning for roads regarding when a particular road would require carpeting, repair or renovation and what its DLP (Defect Liability Period) would be, similarly, the Public Health Engineering Department should also prepare circle-wise life-cycle planning for its entire infrastructure. He said that the department should not wait for any system or facility to deteriorate. Keeping the prescribed life span of the infrastructure in mind, an action plan for its timely repair, maintenance, replacement and renovation should be prepared so that services to the general public are not affected.
Emphasis on Water Conservation and Reuse of Water
The meeting also discussed issues related to recharge borewells, reuse of water and construction of RCC water tanks. Minister Gangwa, while according priority to water conservation, directed officers to take necessary steps for better utilisation of available water resources and to promote reuse of water wherever possible. He also directed that regular cleaning of waterworks be ensured and said that arrangements related to drinking water should be regularly monitored and providing clean and quality drinking water to the people should be the priority of the department.
Officials to Remain in Field During Rainfall
Cabinet Minister Ranbir Gangwa said that in view of the prevailing weather conditions, officers should continuously monitor arrangements in their respective areas. He gave clear directions that senior officers should not leave headquarters during rainfall and that, in case of any emergency, the concerned officers and machinery should immediately reach the spot.
He also directed officers to ensure effective participation in meetings held at the district level. They were asked to participate in meetings through video conferencing, as required, and ensure time-bound resolution of departmental issues.
The Minister directed the officers to ensure that all arrangements, from drainage to drinking water supply, remain fully geared up during the rainy season and that there is no negligence at any level in the field. He said that timely execution of departmental works, better supervision and regular monitoring should be ensured to provide better services to the general public.
