Committee to review progress of relining of feeder canals

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today set up a three-member committee to review the progress of relining 200 km of the Rajasthan and Sirhind irrigation feeder canals in the state.
The inter-departmental committee will be headed by the chief secretary.
The decision was taken by the chief minister at a meeting to discuss the matter, an official spokesperson said.
Principal secretaries of the irrigation and the industries departments have been appointed members of the committee, which will explore ways to complete and, if needed, re-render the Rs 2,000 crore project without further delay, he said.
The chief minister said that this project was of immense importance to save the southern districts of the state --Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda, Mansa, Ferozepur, Fazilka and Faridkot -- from the menace of water logging due to excessive seepage from the canals.

The feeders are almost 100 km each in length, starting from Faridkot up to the Rajasthan border.

Amarinder asked the principal secretary irrigation to get the project completed on priority as it was causing massive damage to standing crops and property in the Malwa belt.
At the meeting, L&T officials apprised the chief minister of the significant phases of the project, as well as the latest technology to be employed within the stipulated time of three years.
Amarinder directed the principal secretary irrigation to ensure un-interrupted supply of sand gravel and other material required for the relining of the canals and said a captive quarry should be earmarked to complete the project in time.

The meeting was attended, among others, Media Advisor to the Chief Minister Raveen Thukral, Chief Principal Secretary to CM Suresh Kumar and Special Principal Secretary to CM Gurkirat Kirpal Singh.