JAMMU: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the progress of water supply schemes in Jammu North constituency.
The meeting was also attended by legislator Sham Lal Sharma, Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control, Chief Conservator of Forests, Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers and other departmental officers.
During the deliberations, the Minister emphasized the need to accelerate the pace of ongoing projects and address the challenges confronting water infrastructure in the region. He reviewed the status of several schemes and asked the officials to ensure strict adherence to approved timelines.
Rana directed the immediate restoration of defunct tube-wells and instructed the engineering staff to undertake corrective measures wherever deficiencies were observed.
The Minister further underscored the necessity of close coordination with the Wildlife Department to resolve clearance-related hurdles. He pointed out that issues concerning pipe-laying and construction activities in protected and fringe areas must be addressed proactively to prevent unnecessary delays.
He issued firm instructions on contractor accountability, directing the officials to engage directly with the executing agencies to identify bottlenecks at the ground level. He cautioned that contractors failing to meet the prescribed quality standards or timelines would face penal action.
Reaffirming Omar Abdullah-led government’s commitment towards providing safe and adequate drinking water to every household, Rana called for rigorous monitoring of works and regular progress reviews. He stressed that timely delivery of projects is essential to ensure that the benefits of improved water infrastructure reach the people without further delay.
