SRI MUKTSAR SAHIB: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday laid the foundation stone for sewerage and water supply projects worth 138.82 crore.
Addressing a public gathering at Guru Gobind Singh Stadium, the Chief Minister said that Rs 90.68 crore will be spent on the new sewerage system and Rs 48.14 crore on water supply works. He said that the city has 31, 000 households and once completed the projects will benefit around 1.58 lakh residents. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that people will no longer face issues of lack of clean drinking water and drainage.
The Chief Minister said that after 30 years, new sewerage and water supply projects are being initiated in this historic city. He said that it is unfortunate that despite the district having produced Chief Ministers and key cabinet ministers in the past, the city remained neglected. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that he considers himself fortunate that God blessed him to start these major projects here.
Discussing the current situation, the Chief Minister said that the existing sewerage system had outlived its life, causing frequent blockages adding that several new colonies lacked sewerage services. He said that the new projects will solve these chronic problems, particularly around Sri Darbar Sahib and nearby areas. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that two overhead tanks will be built one at the main waterworks on Kotkapura Road and another on Abohar Road.
The Chief Minister said Rs 17 crore has been allocated for restoring roads and municipal streets that will be affected by the works, and directed officials to complete the projects on time. Squarely blaming traditional political parties for pushing Punjab into drugs, Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the government has been compelled to launch campaigns like “War Against Drugs” to remove this stigma. He said that the previous governments failed to rein in drug traffickers, leading thousands of youth to untimely deaths.