Port Blair, April 6: Ms. Veditha Reddy, IAS, Secretary RD/Deputy Commissioner (SA) along with Shri Rahul Dev Boora, IAS(P), Shri Rajendar Pal Block Development Officer, C.D.Block Ferrargunj, Officials of Rural Development, A.P.W.D, Forest Department, Pradhan Gram Panchayat Chouldari, Mithakhari, Namunaghar and other PRI members inspected various sites of Amrit Sarowar Projects under the Gram Panchayats Chouldari, Mithakari and Namunaghar today. Total 06 sites for Amrit Sarovar were inspected which included 2 sites of each Gram Panchayat. 

During the inspection, it was found that bush clearance around the Amrit Sarovar sites and desilting of the existing water bodies identified for Amrit Sarovar is required. Immediate simultaneous action is also required for the beautification of the identified sites. Therefore, the Secretary (RD/Panchayat) issued direction to appoint a Nodal Officer who will coordinate with Panchayats, MGNREGA team and Line Departments such as APWD, Agriculture and Forest to make a detailed plan for cleaning and beautification of the identified Amrit Sarovar.

She directed the APWD to provide necessary assistance for cleaning and desilting of the Amrit Sarovars as well as come up with the plan for beatification of sites. Direction was also issued to request the Forest Department to install eco-friendly benches and the Agriculture Department to provide flowering plants and trees around the sites. The Panchayat Pradhans were directed to take up the work for construction of suitable approach to the Amrit Sarovars and provision of lighting around the area. The BDO, Ferrargunj was directed for making necessary arrangement for installation of Amrit Sarovar Display board at all identified sites. The Secretary directed that all the aforesaid works should be completed within one month prior to the onset of monsoon in the Islands.

Further, the Secretary (RD/P) inspected the ongoing work of ‘Renovation of Check Dam at Mithakhari’ by APWD near Panchayat Bhavan Mithakari.

During the visit, the PRIs raised the burning issues of water scarcity and electricity, on which, the Secretary (RD/P) has given assurance to take up the issue with the concern Departments separately to get them resolved at the earliest.