Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Wednesday laid foundation stone for ambitious project of channelisation of all streams of Swan river from Santokh Garh bridge to Daulatpur bridge and channelisation of Swan river from Daulatpur bridge up to Gagret bridge under Rs 922.49 crore Swan River Flood Management Project at Kangad in Haroli constituency of Una district.
Under the 4th phase of this project, a total 11 kilometres long area of Swan river from Daulatpur bridge to Gagret bridge will be channelised under the project besides channelisation of all 73 tributaries of Swan from Daulatpur to Santokhgarh bridge.
The project would benefit a population of 2,35,834 of 165 villages and 7163.40 hectare barren land would be reclaimed.In all, 387.58 kilometers area would be channelized including 1200 kilometer watershed area.
Addressing a gathering, Singh congratulated the people of Una district on this historic day adding that this project was bound to bring sea change in their lives. “With the channelization of Swan river and all its tributaries, the people would not suffer the catastrophe of flooding Swan river and they would witness an era of prosperity and development with the production of food grains and vegetables along banks of river,” said Chief Minister.
He said that giving utmost priority to this major project, the present state government has put sincere efforts with strong political willpower to get clearance for the project in a record nine months period from the Central Government.
Singh said that BJP was trying to take credit for this project as the previous BJP government inaugurated the half completed phase-2 of this project and laid the foundation stone of third phase without making budgetary provisions and sending DPR to the Centre.
The present state government had given Rs 100 crore as state share for the 4th phase of the project while detailed project report would be made for third phase and the state government would provide its share for it.
The Chief Minister added that effective steps were being taken to check illegal mining in the state as it was affecting irrigation, water supply schemes and pillars of bridges besides environment. Those found guilty would be strictly dealt with and their trucks/ machines would be confiscated besides canceling their licenses.
Industries Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said that with the completion of this project, Swan river would no more remain as river of sorrows and it would ensure an era of prosperity to the lakhs of people who had been facing the curse of devastation of land due to heavy floods.