The Panchkula Metropolitan Development Authority (PMDA) has given its official nod to a significant infrastructure initiative worth Rs 12.9 crore aimed at shielding the city from the Ghaggar river's seasonal flooding. This substantial investment is designed to reinforce the riverbanks and protect residential areas that have repeatedly faced the brunt of the river's fury.
Engineering a Robust Defense Against Floodwaters
Drawing on technical expertise from IIT Roorkee, the project will deploy specialized structures known as spurs and aprons along critical stretches of the river. These engineering interventions function much like a surge protector, breaking the force of the current and redirecting floodwaters away from homes and into safer, reinforced channels. The primary goal is to prevent soil erosion and stop floodwaters from inundating vulnerable zones.
The detailed scope of the work includes several key actions:
- Strengthening and installing aprons at Spur Number 1 and Spur Number 5 located near the Multi Feature Park in Sector 24.
- Extensive reinforcement work on Spurs Number 19 through 25, which span the residential sectors 26 to 28.
- Carrying out critical repairs to the damaged apron structure within Herbal Park in Sector 26.
Ensuring Quality and Long-Term Durability
The PMDA has incorporated strict accountability clauses into the project contract to guarantee its success and longevity. These measures mandate expert design, extended liability periods, and full transparency. Crucially, the agency selected to execute the work must provide three years of maintenance and defect liability at no extra cost to the authority.
To keep the public informed, the PMDA will upload progress reports related to tendering and construction phases onto its official website every two weeks. All project work is firmly based on the detailed study and recommendations submitted by the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee.
Project Logistics and Next Steps
The administrative approval for this crucial flood control project was granted by the Chief Executive Officer of PMDA under the PMDA Act, 2021. The required funding has been secured under the infrastructure development budget, which covers roads, buildings, and bridges.
With the approval in place, the project will now advance to the e-tendering phase on the Haryana Engineering Works (HEW) portal. The execution will adhere to the technical standards and specifications established by the Public Works Department (Building & Roads) of Haryana. This systematic approach marks a decisive step towards building a more resilient Panchkula against future monsoon threats.
