Capacity of Bist Doab Canal to be increased: Minister

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, June 14

Irrigation Minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon said today that the Punjab Government would soon start the ambitious project of Rs 1,500 crore for the concrete lining of the Sirhind canal as the Union Government had approved the proposal of the state government.

Talking to mediapersons after reviewing the ongoing construction work of the 802 km-long Bist Doab Canal here at Muai and Muthadda villages, the minister said the government was fully geared up for this project as this would facilitate the farming community on a large scale, besides playing an important role in saving the groundwater by reducing the dependency on it for irrigation.

Replying to a question about the concrete lining of Bist Doab Canal, the minister said more than 60 per cent work of the main canal had been completed, whereas the construction of distributaries would be completed till July 10. The irrigation capacity of Bist Doab Canal would be increased to 2 lakh hectares against the present 35,000 hectares.

Disclosing another main feature of the project, the minister said a project worth Rs 550 crore had also been sanctioned by the Punjab Government to lay down the underground pipes from distributaries to the fields for irrigation purpose. Besides, with an aim to uplifting the groundwater level in the Doaba region, recharging wells would be constructed along with the water outlets on the distributaries.

Prominent among those present on the occasion included Chief Parliamentary Secretary Gurpartap Singh Wadala and Executive Engineer, Irrigation Department, Gurdarshan Singh Bahia.