Rs 44.83 crore lift irrigation project launched at Oind village in Ropar
The project is set to provide canal irrigation to around 4,500 acres of cultivable land for the first time
The Punjab Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal today inaugurated a lift irrigation scheme at village Oind in Chamkaur Sahib tehsil of Ropar district, aimed at extending the canal water access to previously underserved farming areas.
The project brought up at a cost of Rs 44.83 crore, is set to provide canal irrigation to around 4,500 acres of cultivable land for the first time. It is expected to benefit several villages including Chamkaur Sahib, Salomajra, Gaggon, Gadharam Khurd, Gadharam Kalan, Pipalmajra, Roorkee, Talapur, Dugri, Kotli, Kamalpur, and Rampur Bet.
Addressing the gathering, Goyal said that despite the presence of major canals such as the Sirhind Canal and Bhakra Main Line Canal, many villages in the region had long been deprived of canal water. As a result, small farmers were dependent on private arrangements due to lack of motor connections and falling groundwater levels.
He said that under the new scheme, water will be lifted from the Samrala Major System of the Bhakra Main Line Canal near village Oind and transported via a 900 mm diameter pipeline to a tank at village Gaggon. From there, water will be distributed to surrounding villages through four distribution networks.
Calling the initiative a step towards farmer self-reliance, Goyal said the project would not only improve irrigation coverage but also enhance agricultural productivity and farmer incomes. He reiterated the Punjab government’s commitment to expanding canal-based irrigation and addressing farmer’s concerns.
Local AAP MLA Charanjit Singh expressed gratitude to the minister for implementing the long-pending demand. He said the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has been consistently delivering on its promises and ensuring welfare schemes reach the grassroots.
Later, Goyal also inspected ongoing embankment strengthening works along the Sutlej River near Phasse village and assured that adequate measures would be taken to safeguard residents during the upcoming monsoon season.
