TAPINDER SINGH
Patiala : Punjab Water Resources, Mining & Geology, and Land & Water Conservation Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal on Wednesday inaugurated canal irrigation projects at Buta Singh Wala and Badshahpur villages in the Shutrana Assembly constituency. Shutrana MLA Kulwant Singh Bazigar was also present on the occasion. Addressing the gathering, Goyal said the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to expanding canal irrigation facilities to ensure adequate water supply for farmers across the state.
He said that canal irrigation infrastructure worth ₹80.35 crore has been developed in the Shutrana constituency, including the renovation of 137.13 kilometres of canals, distributaries and sub-minors. The projects are expected to provide irrigation water to nearly 68,500 acres of agricultural land across 56 villages. The Minister said the works include the renovation of two canals and 14 minors and sub-minors, besides the laying of 53.9 kilometres of underground pipelines at a cost of ₹8.89 crore. These pipelines will supply canal water to around 9,302 acres of farmland in 18 villages.
During his visit to Badshahpur, Goyal also reviewed flood protection works along the Ghaggar embankment. He said the Drainage Department has strengthened a vulnerable 1,000-foot stretch of the embankment by installing stone pitching and wire mesh at a cost of ₹2.46 crore. Responding to media queries, the Minister said the Punjab Government had undertaken unprecedented strengthening of the Ghaggar embankments over the past year, resulting in no embankment breaches despite heavy water flow during the last monsoon. He added that a water level gauge, similar to the one installed at Khanouri, will also be set up at Badshahpur and that all flood-prevention works have been completed ahead of the monsoon season.
MLA Kulwant Singh Bazigar thanked Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Minister Barinder Goyal for fulfilling a long-pending demand of farmers. He said the projects would also benefit villages located across the Ghaggar River and significantly strengthen the region's agricultural infrastructure. Former MLA Vaninder Kaur Loomba, Drainage Department Superintending Engineer Rajinder Ghai, Irrigation Department Executive Engineer Gundeep Singh, Akash Aggarwal and a large number of local residents were present at the event.
Photo Caption: Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal inaugurates canal irrigation projects at Buta Singh Wala and Badshahpur villages in Shutrana constituency.