In a major move to tackle recurring floods, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday gave his nod to a massive package of 388 flood control schemes with a total financial outlay of Rs 637.25 crore. The approval, aimed at preventing a repeat of the severe waterlogging witnessed in 2023 and 2025, was granted during a meeting of the Haryana State Drought Relief and Flood Control Board in Chandigarh.
Proactive Measures for Monsoon Preparedness
Chairing the meeting, which was also attended by Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shyam Singh, CM Saini issued strict instructions for proactive action. He emphasised that sufficient time remains before the monsoon season and directed Deputy Commissioners (DCs) to undertake necessary remedial work in identified problem areas without any delay. The approved schemes include 59 projects worth Rs 102 crore that were specifically proposed by the DCs.
The Chief Minister warned that any delay or negligence in the execution of these critical projects would invite strict action against the concerned officers. He mandated that all drains across the state be cleaned in a timely manner and instructed DCs to regularly monitor the progress of all flood control works.
Tech-Driven Solutions and Yamuna Protection
Drawing lessons from past floods, Saini outlined a multi-pronged technical strategy. He directed officials to construct strong stone studs along riverbanks, similar to the model adopted by Uttar Pradesh, to reinforce embankments and prevent soil erosion. Significantly, he ordered that all stone studs built this year must incorporate new technology to enhance their effectiveness in flood mitigation.
In a crucial environmental directive, the Chief Minister ordered a complete ban on the discharge of sewage and polluted water from drains into the Yamuna River. He stated that water should be released into the river only after proper treatment. To achieve this, he called for identifying all outfall points and expediting the construction of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs). He also prioritised work to enhance the capacity of the Bhiwani–Ghaggar drain.
Review and Future Focus
The meeting also involved a detailed review of flood relief schemes that missed their completion deadlines. Officials were directed to finish these pending schemes at the earliest. CM Saini set a deadline for tenders of all newly approved schemes to be floated by the end of January and announced that a follow-up review meeting would be held soon.
Looking beyond immediate flood control, Saini emphasised the importance of water reuse. He directed officials to explore possibilities for the agricultural use of treated water and stressed inter-departmental coordination to develop schemes for supplying this water to farms. He reiterated that the reuse of treated water, for either industrial or agricultural purposes, is a collective responsibility of all concerned departments.
