Jakhar reviews canal renovation work

Our Correspondent

Abohar, January 11

With groundwater being unfit for use, canal water was key to meeting the irrigational needs of the area and that proper renovation would benefit the tail-end farmer, said Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunil Jakhar today while inspecting the ongoing work at two canals here.

During the SAD-BJP regime, farmers had organised a series of protests seeking renovation of the canals. Jakhar along with other MLAs had joined a sit-in, following which Capt Amarinder Singh visited the tail-end village of Gumjal and assured farmers of providing relief once the Congress came to power.

Jakhar said the 24-km section of Malukpura distributary was being reconstructed at a cost of Rs 12.85 crore. This would provide better irrigation facilities to 39,290 acres in 16 villages.

Similarly, reconstruction of a 25-km section of Daulatpura minor (sub-canal) would cost Rs 12.06 crore and would irrigate 39,068 acres in 12 villages.

Interacting with farmers at Dalmirkhera, Daulatpura and Diwankhera villages, he said the rest of the 66-km section of both canals would be renovated in the next phase.

He said after the reconstructing the canals, water courses would be renovated. The new technology would give canals longer life with no seepage.

The Chief Minister would launch 12 projects worth Rs 202 crore here on Tuesday, he added.

Caption: PPCC chief Sunil Jakhar inspects ongoing canal renovation work in Abohar. Tribune photo