Haryana Development and Panchayat Minister, Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar said that the State Government is continuously working for the cleaning, repair and rejuvenation of traditional village ponds across the state. Through conservation and beautification of these traditional water bodies, the government is promoting water conservation while ensuring environmental balance and water availability in rural areas.
The Minister was responding to a question raised in the House during the ongoing Budget Session of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha here today. He said that the government aims to revive traditional water sources and strengthen sustainable development in rural areas.
In this regard, work related to the cleaning, repair and rejuvenation of ponds in various villages of the Jhajjar Assembly constituency is being undertaken in a planned manner. Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar informed that the survey and preparation of drawings have been completed for the renovation of several ponds, including the historic and ancient sacred pond in village Bhurawas, Gui Johar near Bagla Choupal in village Talao, Kharia pond located on the main road in village Chuchakwas, Rameshwar pond in village Kheri Khumar, and Harjiwala pond near Baba Khubi Das Ashram in village Mudahera.
The preliminary estimates for these projects are currently being prepared. He further stated that administrative approval of Rs. 212.31 lakh was granted on December 7, 2022, for the rejuvenation of the pond located near Shiv Temple in village Jondhi, and the tendering process is presently underway.
The Minister informed the House that in some villages, technical challenges have arisen due to the groundwater level being 1.70 metres or higher. A report in this regard was sought from the hydrologist of the Haryana Irrigation and Water Resources Department, which has recently been received.
He added that the matter was also discussed with the Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, who has directed that the Irrigation and Water Resources Department and the Development and Panchayat Department should work together to resolve the issue so that the renovation of these historically and religiously significant ponds can be completed at the earliest.
Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar said the State Government is giving priority to the conservation of rural ponds. For this purpose, a Pond Authority has been constituted. As per the directions of the Chief Minister, this authority will now function under the Development and Panchayat Department, through which various works such as cleaning of ponds, construction of gau ghats and beautification are being carried out.