To improve canal irrigation potential in the State’s Doaba region, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Friday approved for revamping and remodeling the Bist Doab Canal at a cost of Rs320 crore.
The decision was taken during a meeting with senior functionaries of the State Irrigation Department.
Team of experts headed by Central Soil and Material Research Station director Dr Murari Ratnam and a renowned expert in the field of designing of canal structures Dr MR Goyal participated in the meeting and gave their inputs regarding the remodeling of Bist Doab Canal with concrete lining.
Realising the utmost need for immediate renovation of Bist Doab Canal, Badal was informed that this 60-year-old canal system has become dilapidated with the passage of time resulting in lesser water carrying capacity especially at the tail ends thereby adversely impacting the irrigation prospects.
Badal directed the officers of the Irrigation department to revamp and remodel entire Bist Doab Canal network including its branches, distributaries, minors with concrete lining, the work for which would begin in the first week of Oct this year.
He also directed that lining of water channels should be done in such a manner to ensure higher water allowance to the farmers adding that this measure would also aid in recharging the underground water table.
It was informed in the meeting that this canal after revamping would be able to supply water for irrigation to two lakh acres of land as against present irrigation level of about 40,000 acres. It would also help in checking the depleting ground water table in the region.
Meanwhile, Badal directed the official of Irrigation Department to immediately take up the project to ensure its completion well before next Kharif season. The work on this system should be of highest quality and should be a benchmark for other projects to be initiated by the department in future, he said while accepting the recommendation put forth by Dr Murari Ratnam for undertaking third party quality assurance through CSMRS to ensure high quality standards during the execution of this project.