Punjab ministers inspect flood-hit Ferozepur, Tarn Taran

Punjab Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today conducted extensive field visits to assess flood-affected areas and monitor ongoing relief operations across Ferozepur and Tarn Taran districts.

Sh. Goyal visited the severely affected villages of Tendi Wala, Gazni Wala and Dhira Ghara in Ferozepur district, where he engaged directly with distressed families and addressed their immediate concerns. The Cabinet Minister was accompanied by MLA Ferozepur Urban S. Ranbir Singh Bhullar, MLA Ferozepur Rural Sh. Rajnish Kumar Dahiya and MLA Guruharsahai Sh. Fauja Singh Sarari.

In Tarn Taran, Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal, accompanied by Cabinet Minister S. Laljit Singh Bhullar, conducted an inspection of the critical Dhussi bundh on River Sutlej from Harike Headworks downstream. They both assessed flood-affected areas and listened to grievances from residents and farmers of villages including Kuttiwal, Gharumm, Basti Lal Singh, Sabhra, Gadaike and Gatti Harike.

Speaking to media persons, Sh. Goyal stressed that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann is personally overseeing all relief operations and has strategically assigned 8 Cabinet Ministers to visit affected districts to ensure direct coordination with affected communities.

The Cabinet Minister assured that Deputy Commissioners, SSPs and all departmental officers have been mandated to prioritize immediate assistance to flood victims. The state government's primary focus remains on safely relocating flood-affected populations to secure locations, providing essential healthcare facilities and food supplies, ensuring proper care and protection of livestock and maintaining round-the-clock surveillance of the evolving situation, he added.

Sh. Goyal informed that the government has invested Rs.276 crore in flood prevention infrastructure. Strategic stockpiling of sandbags along embankments has been completed for immediate deployment during adverse conditions.

During the inspection at Harike Headworks, both Ministers were apprised by officials that the current water flow statistics show 11,600 cusecs at Harike Headworks, 20,000 cusecs being channeled into canal systems and 96,000 cusecs flowing downstream.

Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal reiterated that the Mann government will provide comprehensive compensation for crop losses and property damages.

Earlier in the day, Sh. Goyal conducted a strategic meeting at Husainiwala Head with Deputy Commissioner Ferozepur Deepsikha Sharma, SSP Bhupinder Singh Sidhu, Chief Engineer (Drainage) Hardeep Singh Mendiratta and other senior officials to review relief operations and issue necessary directions.

The delegation in Tarn Taran included Deputy Commissioner Rahul, SSP Deepak Parik and Chief Engineer Drainage Hardeep Singh Mendiratta along with various departmental officers and local representatives.