Centre okays Rs 826 cr for relining of canals

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 26

Clearing the decks for the implementation of projects for the relining of Sirhind and Rajasthan feeder canal projects, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved financial assistance to the tune of Rs 826 crore.

The assistance is of about Rs 620 crore and Rs 206 crore, respectively, for Rajasthan and Sirhind canals. The estimated total cost for the projects is about Rs 1,977 crore. The Centre has already released Rs 156 crore. The approved cost of Sirhind canal project is about Rs 671 crore and that of Rajasthan canal is about Rs 1,305 crore.

The projects are to be funded both by the Centre, and the two states. The Central funding will be made through NABARD. While Rajasthan will contribute full amount of state’s share regarding Rajasthan canal, its share in the Sirhind canal will be in the ratio of about 35 per cent. The Punjab government will pitch in with the balance amount.

Consequent to damages in the lining of both canals, there are considerable seepages causing waterlogging in large tracts of agricultural land in the adjacent areas. Also, the seepage reduces the flow in them. Gadkari said, “The relining of Sirhind canal will save 256 cusecs of water which will stablise and improve irrigation in 48,356 hectares in Punjab.”

Gadkari all praise for Badal 

New Delhi: Union Water Resources Minister Nitin Gadkari acknowledged SAD’s perseverance for projects for the relining of Sirhind and Rajasthan feeder canals. He lauded former CM Parkash Singh Badal for his persuasive role in getting the projects cleared from the Centre. “Badal sahib had talked to me twice on the matter,” Gadkar said, and appreciated Sukhbir and Harsimrat for following up the issue with him. TNS