ORDER for 24x7 surveillance of all canal and river embankments in Punjab

Chandigarh, July 10, 2013: The Punjab Government today issued Instruction to increase the alertness at all the river and canal embankments during the monsoon season. In the wake of alert, issued by the Bhakhra Beas Management Board (BBMB) about the probability of floods in the Punjab, Irrigation Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon instructed the Chief Engineers of all wings of the department to depute SDOs and JEs at the sensitive places, whereas Mates and Baildars would be deputed to guard the river and canal embankments round the clock.

The Irrigation Minister said that to have a close look on the probable flood situation, the Punjab Government has already constituted a state level flood control room, which would work overnight during the emergency situation. He said that besides the state level control room, district and sub divisional level flood control room are also active.

Sekhon instructed the Chief Engineer (Drainage) to personally monitor flood works continuing in all the districts and asked to prepare an elaborate report of continuing flood works. He said that he along with the senior officials of the department would also visit and monitor all the drainage sites, where the flood works were on and if any laxity found, stern action would be taken against the erring officers. The Minister instructed the Chief Engineer to apprise him about the progress made in this regard on daily basis.

He instructed the Chief Engineer (Canal) to increase the vigilance along the all embankments of river and canal. The Minister asked the Chief Engineer to make SDOs and JEs in-charge of all sensitive places. He also instructed the officers to increase the alertness round the clock by deputing Mates and Baildars.

Sekhon appealed the public not to panic as the irrigation department is fully prepared for any eventuality.