Jammu, September 19 (KNS): Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology and Environment and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana on Saturday inaugurated a Rs 6.53-crore water supply project for water-deficit areas of Channi Himmat and Bahu and laid the foundation stone for a Rs 5.90-crore water supply augmentation project for Bathindi and Sunjwan.

The two projects have a combined estimated cost of Rs 12.43 crore.

MLA Bahu Vikram Randhawa, along with senior officers of the Jal Shakti Department and other concerned departments, was present on the occasion.

The water supply project for Channi Himmat and Bahu has been executed at an estimated cost of Rs 652.78 lakh and is aimed at ensuring regular and daily water supply to residents of the areas that have been facing shortages.

The project includes drilling of new tubewells and allied works to augment drinking water availability and strengthen existing supply arrangements.

Residents of Channi Himmat and Bahu had been raising concerns over inadequate and irregular water supply.

Addressing the gathering, Rana said completion of the project marked an important step towards resolving the water deficit in the affected areas and providing households with a more reliable supply of drinking water.

He said ensuring access to safe, adequate and dependable drinking water remained a key priority of the government and added that the newly commissioned infrastructure would provide relief to residents and improve the overall water supply position in the area.

Later, Rana laid the foundation stone for the water supply improvement and augmentation project for Bathindi and Sunjwan. The project will be executed by PHE City Division South, Jammu under SASCI at an estimated cost of Rs 590.50 lakh.

The project is aimed at strengthening the existing water supply infrastructure and augmenting its capacity to meet the present and emerging requirements of the rapidly developing areas.

Once completed, the scheme is expected to improve water availability and enhance the reliability of supply for residents of Bathindi and Sunjwan.

“Providing safe and adequate drinking water to every household is our priority, and these projects will bring lasting relief to the people of these areas,” Rana said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The minister directed the concerned officers to ensure completion of the Bathindi and Sunjwan augmentation project within the stipulated timeline while maintaining prescribed quality standards.

He also stressed the need for proper operation and maintenance of the newly commissioned tubewells to ensure uninterrupted benefits to residents.

The two projects are part of a broader series of inaugurations and foundation stone-laying ceremonies undertaken during the past week to strengthen and expand water supply infrastructure across Jammu.

Randhawa expressed gratitude to the minister for taking up the projects and said the initiatives would provide significant relief to residents who had been facing difficulties due to inadequate water supply.

Later, Rana chaired a meeting with senior officers of the Jal Shakti Department to review the water supply situation in the area and take stock of ongoing and proposed works.

During the meeting, he directed officers to prepare Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for all pending and proposed water supply schemes without delay so that the projects could be processed for approval and funding at the earliest.

Emphasising the need for long-term planning, Rana asked the department to factor in population growth, future water demand and the changing requirements of urbanising areas while designing new and upgraded water supply schemes.

He stressed the need to identify reliable and sustainable water sources and develop infrastructure capable of meeting both present and future requirements.

The minister also called for close coordination among field units and directed officers to ensure prompt and effective redressal of public grievances related to water supply.

The officers briefed Rana on the status of various ongoing works and apprised him of measures being undertaken to improve water availability and strengthen supply arrangements in the area.(KNS)