DC directs officials to speed up cleaning, de-silting & strengthening of Budha Dariya, Dhussi Bandh along Sutlej & all other nullahs of district

• Chairs meeting in this regard & issues necessary directions
• Poclains machines, JCBs & other machinery carrying out work on war footing

Ludhiana, June 22, 2024: Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney today directed the Drainage department and Municipal Corporation Ludhiana officials to ensure proper cleaning, de-silting and strengthening of Budha Dariya, Dhussi Bandh along Sutlej & all other nullahs of district Ludhiana on war footing before the onset of monsoon season.

While chairing a meeting in this regard at Bachat Bhawan, here, DC Sakshi Sawhney directed the drainage department to clean all drains, including those upstream and downstream of Budha Dariya, especially near Tajpur Road and Balloke so that there is no issue of overflow. MC officials have been directed to ensure cleaning and strengthening of embankments of Budha Dariya under their jurisdiction.

She also directed the sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) to ensure flood-protection works in their areas are completed by the end of the month. She also directed them to ensure there are ample amount of sandbags should be available in stock. The SDMs have also been directed that they should have enough motor boats and ensure their engines are in working condition.

Several poclain machines have been deployed at different points of the Budha Dariya for desilting/cleaning purposes and tippers have also been deployed for shifting the silt/waste which is lifted out of the Budha Dariya. Desilting of Budha Dariya is done to increase its water carrying capacity, so that the areas in the vicinity or low lying areas of the city should not suffer during the monsoon season.

Apart from this, machinery has also been deployed for cleaning the internal drains of the city including Dharampura drain/Dhokka Mohalla Nullah and Barewal drain. A poclain machine has been deployed at each of the internal drains and one additional JCB has also been deployed at Barewal drain. Three tippers have been deployed at each of the internal drains for shifting the silt/waste lifted out of the drains.

Road gullies are also being cleaned on a regular basis and the majority of these have already been cleaned. Besides, cleaning of sewerage is also going on in all the cities/towns of Ludhiana.

Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney mentioned that the district administration will remain fully vigil, so as to avoid any sort of untoward incident due to the ensuing rainy season. 

She stated that directions have already been issued to the officials to strengthen flood prone sensitive places to minimize damage in the possibility of any flood. She also added that the district administration has already made adequate arrangements to meet any sort of situation in the wake of the rainy season.

Sawhney said daily monitoring of works and submission of detailed reports was a must. She stated that any delay would not be tolerated and urged a time-bound completion of work.

Officials were also instructed to finalise the duty roster for staff in the flood-control room and appoint senior officers on a rotation basis to monitor the room.

The DC said officials should remain vigilant to avoid any untoward incidents. Officials were directed to strengthen flood-prone sensitive areas to minimise damage in the event of a flood. 

“Furthermore, an evacuation plan in case of a flood was also discussed and sensitive areas along with safe relocation places for residents of flood-prone areas were directed to be identified,” said a statement.