Jharkhand News : Chief Minister Hemant Soren has directed officials to remove encroachments from rivers, ponds, dams, drains, and other water bodies across urban areas of Jharkhand. He instructed authorities to immediately stop illegal construction activities near water sources and take strict legal action against violators.
The Chief Minister issued the directives during a high-level review meeting of the Urban Development and Housing Department held at the Jharkhand Ministry on Friday. He said illegal constructions along rivers and water bodies pose a serious threat to the environment and drainage systems and should not be tolerated.
Soren asked officials to identify illegal structures, issue notices to encroachers, lodge FIRs against those refusing to remove encroachments, and demolish unlawful constructions on a priority basis.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister reviewed the progress of Smart City projects, drinking water supply, sewage treatment plants, traffic management, waste disposal systems, and urban infrastructure development. He directed officials to ensure timely completion of all public welfare projects and accelerate land acquisition work for the Ranchi Smart City project.
The Chief Minister also issued special instructions for the protection of Kanke Dam in Ranchi. He asked officials to stop drains from directly discharging into the dam, conduct demarcation of the catchment area, and ensure proper fencing to maintain clean and safe water.
He further instructed officials to provide clean drinking water to all urban households through pipeline connections and ensure proper drainage arrangements before the monsoon season.
Soren also directed the department to install solar panels and solar street lights along ring roads across the state and submit the proposal for cabinet approval within 15 days.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, Development Commissioner Ajay Kumar Singh, Urban Development Department Principal Secretary Sunil Kumar, and other senior officials.
