Govt opts for brick lining to repair canal bed in Faridkot

The Water Resources Department will opt for brick lining to repair the bed of the Sirhind Feeder Canal here.

This was stated by the department Superintending Engineer in a letter to the Superintending Engineer, Ferozepur Canal Circle, on January 20.

The department will also construct a special structure to help recharge the groundwater near three canal outlets from where water is supplied to farmers for irrigation purposes.

Earlier, Faridkot Deputy Commissioner Vineet Kumar announced that the department will complete by February-end the strengthening of the 10-km stretch of the canal structure along the town.

A group of people protesting under the banner of the Jal Jeevan Bachao Morcha had expressed fear that the concrete lining of the canal would lead to a drastic fall in underground water levels, leaving a large number of area residents without access to drinking water.

They feared that the adding of an impermeable layer of concrete to the canal bed and its edges would prevent the seepage of water into the ground.

The DC had sought to dispel the fears, saying instead of undertaking concrete lining, they would stick to the old practice of brick lining.