Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (NJC)
Mangaluru, Jun 8: Health and family welfare minister U T Khader has warned that engineers of the concerned departments will be held directly responsible if accidents caused by water-filled potholes during the monsoon result in the loss of lives.
Chairing a review meeting on monsoon preparedness at the deputy commissioner's office in Mangaluru on Monday, the minister directed officials to work in close coordination to effectively manage any disaster-related situations during the rainy season.
Focus on permanent solutions
Khader stressed that the National Highways Authority and the public works department must jointly address the issues of waterlogging on roads. He noted that in emergency situations, officials should act beyond jurisdictional boundaries in the interest of public safety.
The minister cautioned that repeated temporary repairs of potholes are not a sustainable solution and instructed authorities to focus on permanent road improvement works. Reiterating his warning, he stated that if accidents occur due to water-filled potholes leading to fatalities, the engineers responsible for those specific roads will be held accountable.
Uninterrupted power supply
Khader directed Mescom officials to deploy additional linemen and vehicles to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the monsoon. He emphasized the need for the swift restoration of electricity in the event of disruptions caused by heavy rains.
Highlighting the importance of mitigating human-induced problems during the rainy season, the minister instructed local bodies to clear road blockages caused by flooding without delay. He also urged authorities to involve local organizations and residents while implementing relief and disaster management measures.
Grassroots preparedness
The minister called for the activation of task forces and the appointment of nodal officers for every gram panchayat to strengthen monsoon preparedness at the grassroots level.
Deputy commissioner Darshan H V briefed the gathering on the district's preparedness measures for the monsoon season.
The meeting was attended by police commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy, superintendent of police Arun, DCF Ravishankar, sub-divisional officer Meenakshi Arya, and other senior officials.