SYL route bypassing Punjab proposed by social body

Pradeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 23

In view of the politico-legal tussle between Punjab and Haryana over the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal, a Bhiwani-based social organisation on Thursday proposed an alternative route bypassing Punjab — Bhakra-Baddi-Panchkula-Jansui headworks — for taking river waters to Haryana.

The Forum for SYL Canal through Himachal Pradesh felt that the alternative route for SYL construction was the only way Haryana could hope to get river waters for southern Haryana, especially after the decision of the Punjab Government to cancel the notification regarding land acquisition and return of land to farmers.

“Implementation of the suggestion to construct the SYL canal through this alternative route will go a long way in speedy construction and maintenance of cordial relations between Punjab and Haryana,” said Jitendra Nath, forum president.

Giving details, he said the canal could be initiated from the Bhakra Dam in Himachal Pradesh. He said from the dam, the water could be brought to Baddi and then to the Tangri river near Panchkula via Pinjore.

He said the water could then be taken to the Jansui headworks in Ambala. Work on the SYL canal in Haryana from the Jansui headworks had already been completed, he pointed out.

He claimed that the proposed canal could be constructed on state-owned barren land in Himachal Pradesh. He said there was steep flow of water from the Bhakra Dam, because of which electricity was produced. He said after production of power near the dam, the water flowed into the Sutlej canal.

Nath pointed out that the Sutlej flowed for around 11 km in Himachal Pradesh and the SYL canal could be connected at any point for its onward flow in Himachal Pradesh and Haryana.

“The Sutlej canal is 1,203 feet above sea level at that point, 1,000 feet above sea level in Panchkula, 900 feet above sea level in Ambala and 823 feet above sea level at the Jansui headworks. It is clear that the SYL waters can easily flow from the Sutlej canal to the Jansui headworks,” he asserted.

Serving an ultimatum till December 1 on the state and Centre for construction of the SYL canal, Nath said people would be made aware of the attitude of both governments so that they could join hands to exert pressure on the two governments to resolve the issue.

In case the two governments failed to resolve the issue, a demonstration would be held at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on December 1 and a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister, he asserted.

Alternative plan

• The canal can be initiated from the Bhakra Dam, from where water can be brought to Baddi and the Tangri near Panchkula. The water can then flow into Jansui headworks in Ambala
• The proposed canal can be constructed on state-owned barren land in Himachal Pradesh. Work on the SYL canal in Haryana from the Jansui headworks has already been completed