Punjab Water Resources Minister Unveils Rs 13-CR Irrigation Schemes, Hits Out at Previous Governments

Chandigarh: Punjab Water Resources and Soil & Water Conservation Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal today inaugurated irrigation projects worth Rs.13 crore at villages Manakmajra and Dehleez Khurd in Amargarh Assembly constituency. He was accompanied by MLA Prof. Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra.

Addressing the gathering, the Cabinet Minister informed that these projects will bring canal water for the first time to more than 3832 acres of agricultural land in the region. He said, Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government is committed to strengthening irrigation infrastructure and reducing dependence on groundwater, adding that the objective of the government is to ensure every drop of canal water reaches tail-end fields while safeguarding water resources, Punjab identity and youth from drug menace under the vision of 'Rangla Punjab'.

How Have Previous Governments Handled Punjab's Water Issues?

The Water Resources Minister said that previous governments only indulged in politics over water issues and failed to safeguard Punjab’s rightful share of water. He said that the Mann government has taken concrete steps to strengthen the canal network to provide long-term and reliable irrigation facilities to farmers.

Giving details of the projects, the Cabinet Minister informed that a new Bhasaur Minor has been constructed from Kotla Branch Canal which has been concretely lined at a cost of around Rs.4.07 crore. This will restore canal water supply to 9 villages of Malerkotla and Sangrur districts after nearly 50 to 60 years.

What Are the Specific Details and Cost Layout of the Pipeline Projects?

He added that a 7640 metre underground pipeline is being laid from Bhasaur Minor at a cost of Rs.1.73 crore for villages Darogewal and Manakmajra which will provide canal water to 1006 acres of farmland for the first time. Similarly, another 4200 metre pipeline is being laid from Bhasaur Minor at a cost of Rs.1.03 crore for villages Rustamgarh, Sangali, Sangala and Bhaini Kalan which will benefit around 980 acres of land with canal irrigation after Independence.

At Village Dehleez Khurd, the Cabinet Minister inaugurated irrigation works worth Rs.6.17 crore. He said that under these projects, a 20,149 metre modern pipeline is being laid from Bathinda Branch at a cost of Rs.5.63 crore to provide reliable canal water to villages Mehrna Khurd, Kanganpur and Rasulpur covering 1486 acres. In addition, Rs.54 lakh has been allocated to connect 360 acres of Dehleez Kalan and Dehleez Khurd with canal irrigation facilities.

How Will These Infrastructure Upgrades Impact Farmer Welfare and Productivity?

Addressing the gathering, MLA Prof. Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra said that the Mann Government is prioritizing farmer welfare and rural development. He added that modernization of the canal system is being carried out to ensure water reaches every farm and will significantly improve agricultural productivity and income of the farmers. He assured that there will be no shortage of funds for development works in Amargarh constituency.

Prominent amongst others who were present included Chairman District Planning Board Sakib Ali Raja, Chairman Zila Parishad Malerkotla Raghbir Singh Chaunda, Chairman Market Committee Amargarh Harpreet Singh Nangal, Chairman Punjab Hajj Committee Hashim Sufi, AAP leader Kewal Singh Jagowal, Halqa Coordinator Nasha-Mukti Yatra Gurpreet Singh Banbhoura (Bittu), Assistant Commissioner Mandeep Kaur, DSP Sanjeev Kapoor, XEN Harminder Singh, XEN Sangrur Atinderpal Singh Sidhu, XEN Damanjit Singh, Rajiv and Abhijot.