AMBALA: Haryana’s energy, transport and labour minister, Anil Vij, has directed immediate measures to drain out floodwater from the Ambala Cantonment Industrial Area, stressing that the livelihood and economy of the region depends heavily on the industries established there.Vij said that the industrialists of Ambala Cantonment have painstakingly built their businesses “brick by brick,” and their survival must be safeguarded. “Since childhood, I have seen these industries grow. Excessive waterlogging is now affecting their operations, and arrangements for immediate drainage must be ensured,” Vij accepted this.The minister issued directions to additional chief secretary of the state Irrigation and Water Resources Department, Anurag Aggarwal, and deputy commissioner of Ambala, Ajay Singh Tomar, to take swift action. Earlier in the morning on Sunday, several industrialists met Vij at his residence, seeking urgent help as floodwater had entered their factories and disrupted operations.Taking prompt cognizance, Vij instructed officials to deploy pumps and make all necessary arrangements for water drainage. On the spot, he called Ambala Cantonment SDM, Vineesh Kumar, and directed him to oversee the work. The minister further asked the Executive Officer of the Municipal Council to procure pumps from any available source and ensure their installation in the industrial area. Industrialists also expressed concern that miscreants might obstruct the drainage efforts. Responding firmly, Vij directed the SHO of Mahesh Nagar Police Station to station a permanent police team at the site until the drainage work is completed. “My top priority is to ensure that the water is removed from the industrial area at the earliest,” Vij assured.The industrial community expressed deep gratitude to Vij for his consistent support. Business leaders including Aashawant Gupta, Kapil Verma, Subhash Dhiman, Sanjeev Ahuja, Subhash Mittal, Kamaljit Jain, Vaibhav Kakkar, Suresh Dhiman, Mishal Dhiman, Yogesh Bhasin, and Sumit Jain praised his efforts. They said that whenever the industrial area has faced crises, Vij has stood by them “day and night, sharing in their struggles.”
