UDHAMPUR: MLA Udhampur East Ranbir Singh Pathania while making a reference to killings of brave-heart SPOs in Dachan area of Kashmir was at the peak of his lung power saying that Those involved in the killings at Dachan (Kishtwar) and the attack on our CRPF personnel at Kulgam will be brought to justice. Every black sheep, every sympathiser, every person giving inputs, shelter or information to terrorists will be identified, exposed and plugged. Justice must not only be done, it must be seen to be done. The sense of security that the Modi Government infused after 5th August 2019 will not be allowed to be weakened. This is a challenging task, but we can and we will do it.
Taking a major step towards resolving the long-pending problem of waterlogging along Dhar Road and adjoining areas, he today kick-started drainage works at Sattani, marking a significant milestone in the efforts to provide a permanent and scientific solution to the recurring problem of rain-water accumulation in the area.
The issue of waterlogging along Dhar Road, particularly in Sattani, Sounthan, Channi Morh, Bredian and adjoining localities, has remained a major concern for the people over the years. During heavy rainfall, uncontrolled storm-water discharge and inadequate drainage infrastructure had frequently resulted in water accumulation, affecting residential areas, agricultural lands, commercial establishments and road connectivity.
The commencement of work at Sattani comes in the wake of the sanctioning of a comprehensive **₹1.40 crore project for storm-water and flood management in Sattani and Sounthan**, pursued through the sustained efforts and intervention of MLA Ranbir Singh Pathania. The project is envisaged to provide a lasting solution to the recurring problem through comprehensive drainage infrastructure and scientific channelisation of storm and flood water.
In addition to the above, further drainage works amounting to approximately **₹13 crore have been taken up for channelising and diverting drainage water from both sides of Dhar Road** into the KV Nallah. These additional interventions will complement the larger project and are expected to be taken up shortly, further strengthening the drainage network and preventing water from entering adjoining habitations and commercial areas.
Pathania has also taken up the issue with GREF (35 BRTF), impressing upon the agency to appropriately divide and channelise the storm-water discharge generated from its road infrastructure towards both the existing canals. This intervention is intended to prevent the indiscriminate flow of road water into adjoining areas and will be undertaken in coordination with the concerned departments.
It may be recalled that Pathania had earlier conducted detailed spot inspections of the affected stretches and convened a high-level inter-departmental review meeting at the Conference Hall of the DC Office, Udhampur. Senior representatives of NHAI, Northern Railways, GREF, Irrigation & Flood Control Department, Revenue Department, PDD and other concerned agencies participated in the deliberations. During the meeting, a coordinated, scientific and catchment-based drainage management approach was emphasised, with specific responsibilities assigned to different departments and executing agencies.
Pathania has consistently maintained that the problem cannot be addressed through isolated construction of drains and culverts but requires an integrated drainage management system covering the entire catchment. He has emphasised proper engineering, adequate cross-drainage structures, identification of natural water channels and coordinated execution by all concerned agencies to ensure a sustainable solution.
The people of Sattani, Sounthan and adjoining areas accorded a **historic and thumping welcome** to Pathania, expressing their gratitude for taking up their long-pending concern at various administrative and departmental levels and bringing the proposed interventions to the stage of execution.
Earlier, Pathania also inaugurated a lane drain at **Choudhary Mohalla, Mand East**, aimed at improving local drainage and providing relief to residents. He also inaugurated the road from **Nainsoo to Kral**, adding another important link to the road connectivity network of the constituency.
Later, during his sitting at the office, Pathania met several deputations and groups of people from different parts of Udhampur East constituency. The deputations raised various issues concerning drinking water supply, road connectivity, basic amenities and other developmental and infrastructure-related requirements in their respective areas.
Giving a patient hearing to the deputations, Pathania took cognizance of the issues raised and addressed several grievances on the spot. He also interacted with the concerned officials wherever required and assured the people that their genuine demands would be pursued with the respective departments for timely redressal.
Speaking on the occasion, Pathania said that the commencement of drainage works at Sattani was an important step towards fulfilling the long-standing demand of the people for a permanent solution to waterlogging along Dhar Road. He reiterated his commitment to ensuring that development works are not confined to announcements but translate into visible improvements on the ground.
He further stressed that proper drainage planning must remain an integral component of all infrastructure development, particularly road construction and widening, so that natural drainage channels are not obstructed and the hardships faced by residents during the monsoon are effectively addressed.
Prominent among those present included Puran Chand, former DDC; Parshotam Gupta; Arti Sharma, former Sarpanch; Ajay Kumar, former Panch, besides a galaxy of local residents, prominent citizens and other representatives of the area.
