Demarcation of Saraswati on to identify encroachments

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, January 6

To increase the water carrying capacity of Saraswati river and to identify encroachments, the demarcation of the river is being done in Thanesar city.

After several colonies of Thanesar witnessed a flood-like situation in July last year due to incessant rain and overflowing of the water from the Saraswati river and other drains, the district administration, irrigation and water resources department had resolved to carry out a survey of the colonies along the Saraswati and remove encroachments that have squeezed the riverbed.

Speaking to The Tribune, Superintending Engineer of Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board Arvind Kaushik said, “Only the Saraswati can save Thanesar from flood-like situations. For that, demarcation work of the river is being done. The encroachments are being identified and we will recommend an anti-encroachment drive along the river so that its width could be increased. If required, land will be acquired too. There is no other way to drain out the water except through the Saraswati.”

At present, the water carrying capacity of the Saraswati is merely 200 cusecs. The river had received over 1,000 cusecs in July last year.

The riverbed must be at least 70ft wide for the smooth flow of 1,000 cusecs water. From Pipli to the SYL canal, the length of the Saraswati is about 70,000ft. While the width of Saraswati in Pipli area is about 65 ft, it reduces to just 15 to 30 ft towards the city area due to the coming up of colonies, badly affecting the natural flow of the river.

Kaushik said, “Efforts are on to make Saraswati an asset for Thanesar. There is a plan to start boating on the river. The tendering process to hire consultancy is also on. We will check the feasibility of the boating proposal from Jyotisar to Pipli, get the river front in Pipli developed, and ensure there is no discharge of polluted water in the Saraswati. The development of the river will help in attracting tourists.”

Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Thanesar City, Ashwani Malik said, “The demarcation work of the existing river is on. The encroachments that have been disturbing the natural flow of water will be removed. It will help in increasing the water carrying capacity of the river and prevent flood-like situations in Thanesar.”