1947 days are less for Flood Control Deptt to lay crates at Landoi Choi

People distressed, FC Engineers ruttiest!

• Since that pivotal day, a staggering 1947 days have passed without any crates being laid at Landoi Choi.
•  This period translates to 5 years, 3 months, and 28 days of unfulfilled promises and unaddressed grievances.

RC Sharma Chanakya
Jammu, Jul 15: Why is the Irrigation & Flood Control Department so inefficient that after 1947 days, there is still no sign of laying crates at Landoi Choi in Chatha? Who will be held responsible if any mishap occurs during the upcoming rainy season due to flooding in the absence of these crates? Why are the Chief Engineer, Superintendent Engineer, Executive Engineer, and others in the department so indifferent to the public outcry? These are pressing questions that demand answers from the Irrigation & Flood Control Department.
It is very astonishing but it is true that 1947 days have passed the residents of Gobinda Pura have formally approached and submitted an application on 18-03-2024 to the Chief Engineer for protection works by laying of crate bar revetment on the sides of Landoi Choi but noting has been done so far. But only for eye wash and to save his skin and after lapse of 1790 days, the Executive Engineer, Flood Control Division Jammu only submitted an estimate amounting Rs 15.53 lacs to Superintending Engineer Hydraulic Circle Jammu vide his letter No FCDJ/5580 dated 09-02-2024. But another joke was thrown by the Superintending Engineer Hydraulic Jammu that vide his letter No SE/HYD/DB/9077 dated 16-02-2024, he returned the estimate back to concern Executive Engineer with a direction to project the work in the upcoming action plan on priority basis.
After passing the 1797 days, the Superintending Engineer Hydraulic Circle Jammu was enough kind to mention the word priority, which itself speaks the meaning of priority and what priority means for him. It is very shameful on the part of Flood Control department that people are making rounds of their offices and they are foxing priority after the lapse of 1797 days and till now 1947 days have passed and their wait is still going on.
Residents of Gobind Pura Ward No 4, Satwari have expressed their deep dissatisfaction over the prolonged delay by the Irrigation & Flood Control Department in addressing their longstanding concern regarding the laying of crates at Landoi Choi, Chatha. Despite repeated pleas and submissions dating back to March 18, 2019, no tangible action has been taken by the authorities.
Mr. Baldev Singh, representing the concerned residents, initiated the efforts by submitting an application to the office of the Chief Engineer on March 18, 2019. The application, duly acknowledged under receipt No 7910 dated 18-03-2019, was promptly forwarded by the Technical Officer to the Superintending Engineer Hydraulic Jammu and Executive Engineer Flood Control Division Jammu on the same day, with a directive to take appropriate action (office No 12537-38 dated 18-03-2019).
Since that pivotal day, a staggering 1947 days have passed without any crates being laid at Landoi Choi. This period translates to 5 years, 3 months, and 28 days of unfulfilled promises and unaddressed grievances. The residents are dismayed by the apparent apathy and neglect exhibited by the department towards their concerns.
“This is beyond disappointing; it is astonishing how indifferent the department has been despite our continuous follow-ups and reminders,” remarked a resident of Gobind Pura. “Our area is prone to flooding, and these crates are crucial for our safety and protection. The department’s performance in this matter has been absolutely negligible.”
The residents are now contemplating their next course of action, considering legal options to compel the authorities into action. They urge the concerned officials to prioritize their safety and well-being by expediting the installation of the much-needed crates at Landoi Choi without further delay.
The Executive Engineer Tilak Raj Sharma said that the division has sent proposal several times but the proposal was not approved by the authority, so the work remained unexecuted.