Seeks
short and long-term suggestions from experts for flood mitigation
SRINAGAR,
JULY 07: Secretary Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Irrigation and
Flood Control (I&FC) Departments, Farooq Ahmed Shah, convened a
meeting with officers and experts to discuss the flood management in the
valley.
During
the meeting, Shah sought suggestions including short-term plans as well as
long-term plans which can be carried out to mitigate flood threat in future.
Various
ongoing works and the works that need to be carried out to mitigate flood
threats were discussed threadbare in the meeting.
The
meeting was attended by Chief Engineer (I&FC) Mir Mohammad Shahnawaz, Retd
Chief Engineers N A Gandroo, Imtiyaz Ahmad Dhar, Retd Chief Project Engineer
Mir Abdul Majid, SEs of Hydraulic division of various districts, Executive
Engineers, President Adventure Tour Operators' Association of Kashmir (ATOAK)
Rauf Tramboo, and other concerned.
On the
occasion, the experts shared their views about flood protection works and put
forward their suggestions like enhancing water carrying capacity of river
Jhelum, expansion of flood channels, connecting flood channel with Hokarsar
etc.
The
Secretary directed the officials to expedite the dredging work. “We have to
assure our people that there is no need to worry. We have to work with proper
planning to mitigate flood threats as we cannot afford the 2014 floods like
situation,” Shah said, adding “After every 15 days, I will monitor the progress
of various works being carried out by the department.”
He
observed that there is a need to constitute an advisory council for the flood
management. He also directed the officials to consult experts form IITs for the
second opinion with regards to the mitigation of flood threats. “We need to
work with a mission so that we can achieve the desired goals. We also have to
infuse new vibrancy in the functioning of the department,” he said.
The Secretary asked the concerned to frame a proposal with regards to
the finance and the manpower needed to revamp and improve the functioning of
I&FC Department.