Chandigarh, Sept. 20 -- Water resources minister Barinder Kumar Goyal on Friday directed officials to expedite the plugging of river breaches without any delay. Chairing an urgent meeting with senior officials of the water resources department, Goyal reviewed the situation and took stock of the ongoing works for plugging embankment breaches and strengthening vulnerable stretches across the state. "Out of the 44 breaches reported so far, a considerable number have already been plugged while the remaining works are progressing on a war footing so that in case large flows of water are witnessed again, the department should be prepared for the event," he added. The minister also instructed officials to swiftly complete the ongoing assessment of damages caused to embankments and other departmental properties so that timely restoration can be undertaken. He assured that there was no shortage of funds for these protective measures and reiterated the state government's commitment to safeguarding lives, agricultural land, and infrastructure.htc...