In a bid to tame the Swan Nadi (Rivulet) which caused huge devastation and damage to the life and property during heavy rains in the Kandi region, the Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today gave approval to release state’s share of 50 percent amounting to Rs. 140 crore for the channelization of the Swan Nadi (Rivulet) by constructing several small chek dams over it at a cost of Rs. 280 crore. The remaining 50 percent share for this ambitious project would be contributed by the Government of India.A decision to this effect was taken in a high level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister at Punjab Bhawan this morning. This meeting was convened to discuss the various issues related to the development of Kandi Belt comprising Hoshiarpur, Ropar and SAS Nagar (Mohali) districts.
Disclosing this here today an official spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office said that at the onset of the meeting Mr. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Member Parliament from Sri Anandpur Sahib flagged off various crucial issue and problems pertaining to the Kandi Belt of the state. He pointed out that earlier for the construction of the Chak Dams, Government of India was providing the subsidy in the ratio of 90:10% i.e. 90 percent share from GoI and 10 percent share of State Government. He said that although the neighbouring state of Himachal Pradesh has built Chak Dams under the previous scheme but now the construction of Chak Dams in Kandi Belt has hit a major roadblock as the GoI has now amended its earlier policy of funding and making it 50:50%(GoI and State government to share equally).
The Chief Minister made it clear that the construction of the Chak Dams in the Kandi Belt for the water conservation and irrigation purposes was very crucial and the state government would generate all its resources to manage the funds for this project. Mr. Badal also approved to release 50 percent state’s share and asked the officers to submit a comprehensive proposal to the GoI in this regard.The Chief Minister mentioned that the Kandi Canal, once completed would usher in economic growth and prosperity in the region. He was apprised that the work on this project was undergoing on war footing. He said the prestigious Kandi Canal project envisaged by SAD-BJP government would be completed and made operational positively by the end of March 2016.Another major issue discussed in the meeting was the showcasing of holy city of Sri Anandpur Sahib as one of India’s most sought after tourist place at global level. He said that the construction of 3-star hotel in the vicinity of Sri Anandpur Sahib was the top most agenda of the state government. Besides this state-of-the-art tourist information centre would also soon come up at Sri Anandpur Sahib- the birthplace of the Khalsa.
On the request of Mr. Chandumajra, Chief Minister directed the Deputy Commissioner, Ropar to undertake a survey in the village Agampur and other neighbouring villages to identify the available Shamlat land so that tourist’s Huts and amusement parks could be set up over this land to offer an opportunity to the tourists to have serenity of natural aura in the rural background.The Chief Minister asked the Chief Administrator GMADA to conduct a detailed study on the technical and financial aspects for setting up recreation centres in the parks of SAS Nagar (Mohali).Prominent amongst other who were present in the meeting included Member Parliament from Sri Anandpur Sahib Prof. Prem Singh Chandumajra, Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister Mr. Sohan Singh Thandal, Principal Secretary Housing & Urban Development Mr. Vishwajit Khanna, Principal Secretary Tourism and Cultural Affairs Ms. Anjali Bhawra, Secretary Irrigation Mr. Kahan Singh Pannu, Deputy Commissioner, SAS Nagar Mr. TPS Shidu, Deputy Commissioner Ropar Ms. Tanu Kashyap and Deputy Commissioner Hoshiarpur Ms. Anandita Mishra.