Udhampur: Amidst incessant rainfall and inclement weather, MLA Udhampur East. Ranbir Singh Pathania today undertook an extensive tour of the rain-affected areas of Parlidhar, including Koghar Morh, Bainsta, Fatola, Thaley, Dhalper, Jaganoo and adjoining villages, to assess the damage caused by continuous rains and review the restoration measures being undertaken by various departments.
During the visit, Pathania interacted with local residents, inspected damaged roads, drinking water supply schemes, electricity infrastructure and public institutions, and issued on-the-spot directions to the concerned officers for immediate restoration of essential services.
Reviewing the road connectivity, the MLA directed the executing agencies to immediately restore traffic on the Plassan–Pinger Road and ensure that all damaged roads are reopened on priority with proper quality control. He stressed that restoration works should not be treated as temporary measures and that engineering standards must be strictly adhered to while executing repairs.
Expressing concern over the hardships faced by affected families, Pathania directed the concerned authorities to ensure that all eligible damaged houses are promptly covered under SDRF norms. He further clarified that there is no restriction preventing SDRF beneficiaries from receiving assistance under PMAY, and instructed the administration to facilitate eligible families under PMAY wherever applicable so that no deserving household is deprived of permanent housing assistance.
The MLA also instructed Jal Shakti Department to immediately restore all disrupted drinking water supply schemes and instructed the Power Development Department to restore suspended electricity lines on a war footing to minimise inconvenience to the public.
While inspecting working of educational institutions, Pathania instructed the School Education Department to make temporary arrangements for conducting classes of Government High School Chiraye until the construction of the new school building is completed. He also instructed that with regard to ongoing works on PM Shri Government High School Mottu quality control and stipulated timelines be strictly adhered to .
Addressing officers and local residents, Pathania reiterated that scientific rain water management must become an integral part of all future development works. Referring to the recent joint inspection of the Dhar Road catchment, he said that a comprehensive and permanent drainage solution involving all stakeholder departments is imperative.
He stated that, as per the instructions already issued, Northern Railways will undertake comprehensive drainage management within its Railway Right of Way (ROW) so that rainwater generated within railway limits is scientifically managed without affecting adjoining habitations. He further said that NHAI has been directed to prepare a comprehensive storm water management plan for both the existing and proposed National Highway, ensuring that rainwater is channelised through properly designed drainage structures into natural watercourses instead of residential areas. He added that 35 Border Roads Task Force (GREF) has been asked to coordinate with the Irrigation & Flood Control Department for preparation of a permanent drainage plan incorporating adequate culverts, cross-drainage structures, retaining walls and storm water management components so that future road development complements rather than obstructs natural drainage.
Pathania emphasised that holistic water management is the key to sustainable development. He observed that changing rainfall patterns and increasingly intense precipitation events require scientific study, better drainage planning and coordinated execution by all concerned departments to safeguard life, property and public infrastructure.
During the visit, a large number of residents from Sattani and Sounthan met the MLA and expressed gratitude for the timely preventive measures taken by the administration and executing agencies, which prevented flooding in their areas during the current spell of heavy rainfall. Pathania assured them that the Government remains committed to implementing a permanent drainage solution so that such problems are eliminated on long term basis.
Among those present on the occasion were Ashish Sharma, Mandal Pradhan, Vikram Singh, Capt. Rattan Singh, Rashpal Sharma, Yashpal, Om Prakash (Ex-Sarpanch, Dhalper) and a galaxy of prominent local residents.
