The Punjab Govt has approved several flood protection and river erosion control projects ahead of the upcoming monsoon season. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management held at the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) headquarters.
Punjab Health Minister and Chairman of the committee, Khawaja Salman Rafique, chaired the meeting on Thursday. He said protecting citizens from financial and human losses remains the top priority of the Punjab Govt during the monsoon period.
The meeting reviewed multiple projects aimed at reducing flood risks in vulnerable areas. Officials also discussed emergency measures to protect villages, agricultural land, and public infrastructure from river erosion.
During the session, the committee approved emergency measures worth Rs94.49 million for Biraj Cheema and Biraj Dhalla villages. These areas face erosion threats from the Chenab River.
Another project worth Rs98.74 million was approved for the protection of Thatti Baloch village. The committee also sanctioned Rs86.71 million for safety measures in Garhi Gulla and Ratta villages.
Officials directed authorities to take immediate action to save agricultural land from erosion caused by the Chenab River. A major project worth Rs283.481 million was also approved for the construction of a protective dam on the Ravi River.
The Punjab Govt further approved protective measures costing Rs34.394 million for residents of Ganda Singh Wala in Kasur. Another scheme worth Rs99.95 million was sanctioned to address flood-related erosion in Labanwala village, Sheikhupura.
A separate flood protection project for Dhanghana in Mianwali also received approval during the meeting.
Speaking to participants, Khawaja Salman Rafique said the Punjab Govt is taking practical and timely steps under the leadership of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. He added that preventive planning is necessary to reduce flood risks before the monsoon season begins.
He said all concerned departments are working together on flood prevention efforts across Punjab. According to him, the government aims to protect millions of people from possible losses during heavy rains.
Director General PDMA Umar Javed informed the meeting that procurement of relief items for emergency response is continuing.
He also shared that a Rs100 million project has been approved for the construction of a safety dam in Jhang. Another Rs99.95 million project was sanctioned to expand a safety dam protecting the PARCO pipeline and nearby communities.
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Senior officials attended the meeting, while commissioners and deputy commissioners from several districts joined through video link.
