Lucknow, Oct 2026 : Defence Minister and Lucknow MP Rajnath Singh on Thursday visited flood-affected Faizullaganj in Uttar Pradesh, met families impacted by the flooding and distributed relief materials, assuring them that the Central and state governments would stand by them during the crisis. He also announced that a plan to construct an embankment from Pakka Pul to the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) was ready to address the area's recurring flood problem permanently.
Singh said he had already discussed the proposed embankment with Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and that its foundation stone would be laid soon. The project is expected to provide long-term protection to residents who have repeatedly faced flooding and disruption to their daily lives.
Acknowledging the scale of the challenge, the Defence Minister said a problem of such magnitude could not be resolved overnight and that people would need to exercise some patience. He assured residents that the government was making serious efforts to provide lasting relief and improve safety in the flood-prone locality.
Once completed, the embankment is expected to reduce the recurring threat of floods in Faizullaganj and help residents lead safer and more secure lives.
Ensuring relief reaches every affected family
Singh said he had been closely monitoring the situation in Faizullaganj since learning about the flooding. Local MLA Dr Neeraj Bora, his team and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers had made efforts to deliver assistance to affected households, he added.
During the visit, Singh instructed Bora to ensure that no flood-affected family was left out of the relief process. He emphasised that assistance should be provided according to the specific needs of each household so that vulnerable residents did not face additional hardship during the emergency.
The Defence Minister also drew attention to the risk of diseases spreading after floodwaters recede. He said the district administration was taking necessary steps to prevent health problems among affected residents and provide appropriate support.
Singh assured the people that efforts to assist them would continue and that he would remain committed to their welfare.
‘Helping people is our duty’
Emphasising his responsibility as an elected representative, Singh said helping the people of Faizullaganj was not a favour but a duty.
He said the trust voters placed in their elected representatives brought both honour and responsibility. His visit, he added, was intended to reassure residents that they were not alone during the difficult period and that every possible effort would be made to support them.
Singh stressed that affected families would receive assistance to help them overcome the immediate crisis and return to normal life. The government's response, he indicated, would involve both immediate relief and efforts to address the underlying cause of repeated flooding.
During the distribution of relief materials, the Defence Minister met several affected residents, including Imtiaz of Daudnagar, Sangeeta Devi of Kachchi Dhal, Shaheed Ahmad of Lohra Mau, Shiv Rani, Shanti Devi, Neha Tiwari of Mishra Tiraha, Gangapati of Kachchi Dhal, Sneha Yadav of Durgapuri Colony, Rajesh Pandey of Atal Chauraha and Kusum Kashyap. He interacted with them and enquired about their condition and difficulties.
Deputy CM stresses importance of embankment
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, who was present at the programme, said construction of the proposed embankment would provide significant relief to residents who have repeatedly faced flood-like conditions.
Pathak said the project could offer a permanent solution to a long-standing problem and substantially reduce the danger posed by recurring floods. He expressed confidence that the proposed infrastructure would improve the safety of residents in the affected area.
MLA Neeraj Bora welcomes coordinated efforts
Local MLA Dr Neeraj Bora described Singh's presence among flood-affected residents as a source of reassurance, saying the Defence Minister had been concerned about the situation since the day he received information about the flooding.
Bora said the coordinated efforts of Singh and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were paving the way for a lasting solution to Faizullaganj's flood problem. He described the proposed embankment from Pakka Pul to IIM as an important initiative that would bring considerable relief to local residents.
The MLA added that he and his team were standing firmly with affected families and making every effort to provide assistance. He said ensuring that relief reached residents, addressing their immediate needs and helping them return to a secure life were collective responsibilities.
Bora assured residents that no family would be left to face the crisis alone and that support would continue as required.
Senior leaders attend relief programme
According to Anurag Sahu, BJP metropolitan media in-charge, several public representatives and party functionaries attended the programme.
Those present included Lucknow Mayor Sushma Kharkwal; Legislative Council members Mukesh Sharma and Pawan Singh Chauhan; Ramchandra Pradhan; BJP metropolitan president Anand Dwivedi; district president Vijay Maurya; MLAs Yogesh Shukla and O.P. Srivastava; Defence Minister's Officer on Special Duty K.P. Singh; and representatives Divakar Tripathi, Raghavendra Shukla, Shyam Kishore Das and Ram Avtar Kanojia, among others.
The visit combined immediate relief distribution with a renewed commitment to long-term flood protection. While the proposed embankment is expected to address the recurring threat, authorities will also need to continue relief and public-health measures to help affected households recover from the current flooding.
