Remove encroachments: Saraswati board to public

Nitish Sharma

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, February 28

To increase the water-carrying capacity of the Saraswati and ensure natural flow of the river, the Haryana Saraswati Heritage Development Board has appealed to the public to remove encroachments from the river, failing which action will be taken against them.

From Pipli to the SYL canal, the length of the Saraswati is about 70,000 feet. While the width of the Saraswati in the Pipli area is about 65 feet, it reduces to between 15 feet and 30 feet towards the city due to the development of colonies, badly affected the natural flow of the river.

Officials asked to submit report

There are encroachments at several places between Pipli and Jyotisar. Officials have been asked to complete the demarcation of the river soon and submit a report on encroachments. Dhuman Singh Kirmach. —Dy Chairman, Saraswati heritage development board

“Demarcation of the Saraswati is being carried out and encroachments have come to notice at several locations between Pipli and Jyotisar. Officials have been asked to complete their demarcation at the earliest and put up a report regarding encroachments identified so that land could be freed,” said Dhuman Singh Kirmach, deputy chairman of the board.

“There are over 20 locations where encroachments have been identified. At present, the board is appealing to people to remove encroachments, including domestic and commercial, on their own. The board will start sending notices to them soon and action will be taken accordingly. A meeting in this regard will be held with district officials soon,” he said.

“We have big plans for the Saraswati and there is a need to ensure smooth flow of water. After removing the encroachments, the banks of the river will be strengthened and beautified. It will help in increasing the water-carrying capacity of the river and prevent a flood-like situation in Thanesar,” he said.