Secretary Jal Shakti inspects flood protection works in Manali

Emphasis on scientific methods and timely completion before monsoon

Secretary for Jal Shakti, Finance, Planning, Economics and Statistics, Dr. Abhishek Jain, visited the Manali Assembly constituency on Thursday to review the damage caused by floods in previous years and inspect the flood protection works currently being carried out in the area. During his visit, he assessed the progress of these projects and stressed that flood protection measures should be carried out using scientific and effective methods. He said that the work must be completed before July, so that permanent safety arrangements were in place for the future. The secretary also did a spot visit from Atal tunnel to Kullu along with the Beas river also.

During the inspection, Dr. Jain reviewed the flood protection work being undertaken by the Jal Shakti Department near the Potato Ground in Manali, where construction was currently in progress. He also inspected a 400-metre-long flood protection wall built near the Kalath Old Age Home, which has already been completed.

After the site visits, the Secretary held a meeting with officials from all key departments to review the overall progress of flood management efforts. During the meeting, he sought updates from the Jal Shakti Department regarding the progress made based on the report of the Central Water Commission.

Officials informed him that flood control work worth Rs. 8 crore was underway across a 700-metre stretch. In addition, work worth Rs. 30 crore covering a 2,100-metre area was also in progress and was expected to be completed before 15 April. The administration has also proposed dredging work at 11 locations to strengthen flood protection measures.

The Public Works Department informed the Secretary that projects worth Rs. 24 crore were being carried out across an 800-metre stretch, of which Rs. 15 crore worth of work has already been completed.

Dr Jain instructed all departments to complete the remaining work by June so that the safety of vulnerable areas can be ensured before the onset of the monsoon.

He also directed that regular monthly meetings should be held under the chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner, involving all relevant departments and that the participation of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) should also be ensured. He added that monthly review meetings at the Secretary level would also be conducted under his chairmanship to closely monitor progress.

SDM Manali Raman Sharma, Superintending Engineer (Jal Shakti) Vinod Thakur, along with officials from the Public Works Department, Municipal Council and other departments were present in the meeting.