A high-level meeting was held in Agartala on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha to review the government’s preparedness to deal with the monsoon situation. The meeting discussed in detail the government’s management and preparations to deal with the monsoon situation. The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary JK Sinha, Urban Development Department Secretary Abhishek Singh, Finance Department Secretary Apurba Roy, Planning (Statistics) Department Special Secretary Abhishek Chandra, Agartala Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dr. Shailesh Kumar Yadav and senior officials of the concerned departments.
In the meeting, the Chief Minister said that emphasis should be laid on taking modern measures to deal with the monsoon situation. If necessary, experts from outside the state should be consulted. The problem of waterlogging in Agartala city is much less now.
Dr Saha said that emphasis should be laid on the development of health infrastructure in cities and towns by setting up satellite hospitals and pink toilets. He also instructed the concerned persons to take necessary steps to further reduce the mosquito menace in urban areas.
Urban Development Department Secretary Abhishek Singh informed the meeting that according to the forecast of the India Meteorological Department, rainfall is likely to be below normal in the current month of June. However, rainfall is expected to be slightly above normal in July and August. He said the Urban Development Department has taken all necessary steps to deal with the monsoon situation. Flood-prone areas in all municipal bodies have been identified.
There is a provision of drainage pumps for draining rainwater. Quick Response and Disaster Management Teams are ready for emergencies. Meetings have been held with the concerned departments of electricity, water supply and sanitation, water resources etc. in all municipal bodies. Besides, mock drills have been conducted to deal with disasters. Drains are being cleaned regularly.
In addition, the Secretary of the Urban Development Department informed the meeting in detail about the steps taken by the Flood Control Department (Water Resources) to control floods.
Agartala Municipal Corporation Commissioner Dr. Shailesh Kumar Yadav discussed in detail the preparations and arrangements in the Agartala Municipal Corporation area for the upcoming monsoon season. He also talked about drainage system and cleaning methods in the city, condition of flood drainage pumps, and long-term action plans taken for urban development.
At present, there are 18 pumping stations in Agartala Municipal Corporation area for drainage. In addition, there are 6 diesel drainage pumps. The flood situation in Agartala is monitored and the effectiveness of drainage pumps is informed through the Integrated Command and Control Center. The Municipal Commissioner of Agartala said the process of preparing a DPR on the drainage system of the entire Agartala city is underway.
Urban Development Department official Rajat Pant gave detailed information about the urban development projects in the meeting.
(Tripura, Tripura News)
