Punjab Water Resources Minister Mr. Barinder Goyal today reviewed the ongoing flood protection arrangements at the Dhussi Bundh of River Ravi near B.O.P. Tota in district Amritsar. On this occasion, Chief Engineer of the Water Resources Department S. Sher Singh, Superintending Engineer Mr. Jagdish Raj, S.C. Gurbinder Singh Sidhu, Executive Engineer Mr. Vishwpal Goyal and other officials were also present.
It may be mentioned that due to the floods last year, the area near B.O.P. Tota suffered heavy damage caused by floodwaters. The Water Resources Department is carrying out flood protection works here at a cost of Rs. 5.5 crore.
Thereafter, Water Resources Minister Mr. Barinder Goyal also inspected the re-lining project of the Jhabal Canal near village Chabba in Amritsar district. The Punjab Government is undertaking the canal lining work at a cost of Rs. 18 crore.
The Cabinet Minister said that earlier only 150 cusecs of water used to flow through the canal, but after strengthening and lining the canal banks, the water carrying capacity will increase to 258 cusecs, ensuring water reaches the tail-end areas. He said that the work to strengthen and line the Jhabal Canal would be completed within 45 days.
He further informed that the total length of the canal is 27 kilometres and its width has been increased to 24 feet. Earlier, the canal irrigated only about 5,000 acres of farmland, but after enhancement of its capacity, nearly 31,000 acres of agricultural land will receive water through the tail reaches. This will also help improve the underground water table.
The Minister said that under the leadership and efforts of Punjab Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the state has succeeded in controlling the depletion of groundwater levels, thereby safeguarding not only Punjab but also future generations. He added that earlier only 26 percent of available water resources were being utilized effectively, whereas now the state has succeeded in supplying nearly 82 percent of water to agricultural fields.
Mr. Barinder Goyal said that the Punjab Government is actively working to minimize the loss of life and property caused by floods or heavy rains before the onset of the monsoon season. He stated that the state government is spending Rs. 600 crore on flood protection measures.
He informed that after the floods last year, the Water Resources Department constituted committees under the supervision of two Superintending Engineers for each of the four rivers. These committees identified 135 vulnerable points, where flood protection works are currently underway. Some projects have already been completed, while the remaining works will be completed by June 30, 2026.
The Water Resources Minister further said that during the previous rainy season, the Dhussi Bundh of River Ravi had developed breaches at 23 places due to floods. The department has repaired these breaches and strengthened them with stone pitching. Besides this, desilting work in the river is also being carried out on a war footing and will be completed before the monsoon season.
He added that cleaning work of the Sakki Nallah is also in progress, while other seasonal drains are also being cleaned.Mr. Barinder Goyal further informed that the Punjab Government is procuring advanced amphibious machines from Finland for flood prevention, strengthening relief infrastructure, and cleaning canals and drains.
He said these machines are capable of operating both on land and in water and can perform cleaning operations even in flowing water and at greater depths, making them highly useful for preventive measures and emergency response operations. He added that these multi-purpose machines can carry out deep cleaning efficiently and are being procured for flood relief and emergency situations.