Sham Choudhary lays foundation of projects worth Rs 14 cr in Ganderbal

New schemes to mitigate problems of people, help in optimum utilization of water resources

GANDERBAL, JULY 25: – To augment water supply and irrigation facilities, the Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Sham Lal Choudhary today laid foundation of 3 projects including 2 Water Supply Schemes and 1 Lift Irrigation Scheme in Ganderbal.

          MLA Ganderbal Sheikh Ishfaq Jabar, MLA Nowshehra Ravinder Raina, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal Dr. Piyush Singhla and Chief Engineer PHE Kashmir G M Bhat and senior officers of PHE, I&FC accompanied the Minister during the visit to Ganderbal.

          The Minister along with MLA Ganderbal laid the foundation of Water Supply Scheme Gurez Colony Nunner to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 349.00 lakhs. The scheme would benefit 8 number of habitations after its completion which includes Nunner, Ahangar Mohalla, Jindar Mohalla, Mir Mohalla Sindh Bal, Takiya Nunner, New Colonies and the floating population. On the occasion, the Minister also interacted with the locals and listened to their issues and demands.

          Sham Lal Choudhary also laid the foundation of Chountwaliwar Lift Irrigation Scheme to be built at the cost of Rs 395.00 lakhs. The scheme would be executed in two stages and would benefit 4 villages. After laying the foundation, the Minister addressed the locals present on the occasion and assured that the scheme would be completed in given time and necessary direction in this regard have already been issued to the executing agencies.

          The local people also raised various issues pertaining to water supply and irrigation facilities. They also demanded that defunct schemes in the area should be made functional so that the farmers would be benefitted. The Minister assured them that their demands would be looked into and concerned officers will be asked to resolve their genuine issues.

          Sham Lal Choudhary also asked the Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal to monitor the ongoing projects for their early completion.

          Later the Minister along with MLA Ganderbal laid the foundation of Water Supply Scheme Qasbalar/Repore Bala. The schemes involve funding of Rs 742.63 lakhs which would benefit six habitations including Repore Bala, Hafiz Bagh, Rahter Mohalla, Takiya Shah Qalandar, Mirpora and Lar.

          Speaking on the occasion, Sham Lal Choudhary said that implementation of these schemes would help in optimum efficient, effective conservation and utilization of water resources besides ensuring that adequate water supply can be maintained. He assured that all the issues raised by MLA Ganderbal will be taken care. He said that sufficient funds will be provided for repair and renovation of Lift Irrigation Schemes damaged in cloudburst in 2014.

          The Minister further said that the number of hand pumps has been increased and the work on allotted pumps for the area would soon be executed.  He directed the concerned officers to work for the betterment of the people and resolve genuine issues of people as they get noticed.

          MLA Ganderbal while thanking the Minister for laying the foundation of new projects said that the Minister always shows his concern for strengthening the department to provide safe drinking water and irrigation facilities to the people of the state.

          The MLA urged the Minister to issue directions to the department to take up few important works on priority including construction of protection walls along nallahs, remodeling of canals etc. He also asked to provide funds to Executive Engineer for immediate maintenance works of damaged infrastructure. The Minister assured the MLA all possible support of the government in mitigating the problems of the people.