Land acquisition for Malwa canal begins

The state government has formally started the process of acquiring land in Muktsar district for the proposed Malwa canal project. The canal is expected to boost irrigation in Ferozepur, Faridkot and Muktsar districts.

The canal will originate at Harike headworks.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had visited the proposed site at Doda village on July 27 last year, and highlighted the government’s commitment to improving irrigation infrastructure in the region.

He had claimed that it would be the first canal to be built in the state after the country’s Independence.

It was expected to be 149-km long, 50-ft wide and 12.5-ft deep, having a capacity to carry 2,000 cusecs of water.

It would help irrigate an area of around 2 lakh acres.

As per a fresh notification issued by the Water Resources Department and published in the government gazette on Saturday, the land identified for acquisition in 22 villages of Muktsar district cannot be now sold, transferred or encumbered without prior approval from the Collector.

The government has invited objections from landowners regarding the area, suitability and findings of the social impact assessment (SIA) report. Objections can be submitted within 60 days at the offices of the Land Acquisition Collector-cum-Sub Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) in Muktsar, Gidderbaha and Malout.

The project includes the Malwa canal and its augmentation channel (to supplement water supply) on the left of the Rajasthan Feeder canal. Sandeep Singh, District Revenue Officer (DRO), Muktsar, said, “Around 77 km of the total 149 km canal will run through Muktsar district. For it, 822 acres have to be acquired, of which 496 acres fall in Muktsar district.”

The Opposition has repeatedly claimed that the project may not materialise, terming it a publicity stunt by the AAP government, but the AAP leadership has termed it a dream project of the CM.

Farmers have also raised questions over its feasibility. “Our simple question is: How will water flow from a low area to a higher plain? The government is misguiding the public,” said Bittu Mallan, an activist of Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan). The Muktsar ADC (General) has been appointed the administrator for rehabilitation and resettlement, while the Ferozepur Divisional Commissioner has been designated as the commissioner for it.