Punjab Newsline | New Delhi
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Ajnala Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, along with a delegation of sarpanches from the constituency, met Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil and urged the Centre to take immediate steps for the construction of a dam on the Ujh River in Jammu and Kashmir to protect Ajnala from recurring floods.
During the meeting, Dhaliwal highlighted the long-standing problems faced by residents of Ajnala due to flooding caused by the Ujh River. He said repeated floods have caused extensive damage and adversely affected the lives and livelihoods of people in the region.
Dhaliwal said the recurring flood threat was also hampering economic development, as industries were reluctant to invest in an area vulnerable to repeated flooding.
He stressed the need for proper management of the Ujh River and said the proposed Ujh Dam could provide a long-term solution by regulating the flow of water towards Punjab and reducing the risk of floods in Ajnala.
According to Dhaliwal, the project would not only help in flood control but could also generate electricity, support irrigation through canals and create employment opportunities for local youth.
The MLA said he had previously raised the issue with the Governors of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. He said the meeting with the Union Jal Shakti Minister was aimed at directly placing the demand before the Central Government and seeking early action on the long-pending project.
Dhaliwal urged the Centre to expedite the Ujh Dam project, saying the people of Ajnala had faced recurring floods for generations and deserved a permanent solution to the problem.
