Punjab Water Resources, Mines & Geology and Soil & Water Conservation Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal is undertaking a tour of the state to ensure completion of flood protection works before the onset of monsoon. Continuing this, for the third consecutive day, the Cabinet Minister today reviewed strengthening works being carried out along the Sutlej river passing through Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district.
After inspecting flood prevention works at village Burj Tehal Das, he stated that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led government is spending Rs.600 crore on flood protection works across Punjab and all the works will be completed before June 30. Notably, Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal has been visiting various districts over the past three days.
After Amritsar and Jalandhar, he inspected flood protection works in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar today. Goyal said that for the first time, the Mann government is making serious efforts by spending such a huge amount on strengthening river embankments.
Previous governments merely carried out superficial flood protection works, the brunt of which was borne by the people of the state. He directed officials to ensure that all flood protection arrangements are completed before the upcoming monsoon.
He further informed that after last year’s floods, a special committee led by two Superintending Engineers had identified 132 vulnerable points along Punjab’s rivers and all these locations are being strengthened on a war footing. He said there is no shortage of funds to protect people from floods and the Mann government is fully committed to safeguarding life and property during such situations.
The Cabinet Minister strictly instructed officials to complete flood protection works within the stipulated time and warned that any negligence would not be tolerated.
Minister reviews project to supply water to fields through pipelines at villages Dhakk Mazara and Mandi
20,000 acres to receive water from Apra section
The Cabinet Minister also reviewed ongoing works to supply water to fields through pipelines at villages Dhakk Mazara and Mandi in Banga constituency. He said that the Mann Government is providing water to 1,030 acres through pipeline, whereas earlier only 33 acres were being irrigated.
The Minister said that the government has taken serious initiatives at Aur Headworks to provide adequate canal water and prevent drought-like situations, yielding positive results. He informed that in 2023, a gate gearing system was installed at Aur Head on the Nawanshahr branch, after which Apra Rajwaha, Lasada Rajwaha and Bakhlor Ditch started receiving sufficient water as required.
Now, to ensure efficient water usage at the tail end of Bakhlor Ditch, a total of 16,829 feet pipeline is being laid in the fields of tail front and tail left. This will increase the irrigated area from 33 acres to 1,030 acres.
Upon completion, villages Mandi and Dhakk Mazara in Phillaur tehsil will receive smooth canal water supply. He added that due to these efforts, there is neither waterlogging nor drought at this headworks.
He further said that earlier only 7,000 acres received water from the Apra section, which has now increased to 20,000 acres.