CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal urged the 5-Member team of World Bank led by its leader Shymal Sarkar to bail out the state from the menace of water logging and the cleaning of ponds through adopting a multi-pronged strategy by engaging the services of the experts of the world repute. 

Briefing the Chief Minister about the observations made by the World Bank (WB) team during its recent visit in the villages of Muktsar and Faridkot districts, Mr.Sarkar said that the State Project Management cell constituted for the implementation of the project should be strengthened by delegating more powers so that it could effectively oversee the progress of Rs.1280.30 crore World Bank Punjab Rural Water Supply & Sanitation Project.  

Responding to the proposal of the Chief Minister, Sarkar said that he would recommend the authorities of the World Bank to sanction a comprehensive rural programme for the cleaning of ponds and check the problem of water logging which had adversely affected the crops and property in the Muktsar and Faridkot districts.   He asked the state Chief Secretary to send a detailed proposal to the WB for its consideration under comprehensive strategy for sanitation in rural areas.  

Appreciating the concern of .Badal for water logging and cleaning of ponds,.Sarkar said that he had personally visited the water logged areas in the state and was fully convinced that the situation was grim.  He underlined the need to undertake corrective measures immediately for the permanent solution of water logging and the cleaning of the ponds.  He also agreed to the suggestion of Badal to install treatment plants of fixed capacity according to the size of the ponds, but this could only be possible after seeking the expert opinion of the technocrats in the field. 

Expressing gratitude for evincing keen interest in the implementation of the WB water supply & sanitation project, the Chief Minister assured the visiting team that the state government would extend fulsome support and cooperation for its speedy implementation and timely completion positively by the target schedule of 2012.