Nabard sanctions Rs 177 cr for Punjab

It is for construction of 843.75 km main branches of watercourses and installation of RO plants

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has sanctioned a loan of Rs 176.68 crore for construction of 843.75 km main branches of watercourses and installation of reverse osmosis (RO) plants.

"Nabard has sanctioned RIDF loan of Rs 176.68 crore for construction of 843.75 km main branches of watercourses on Sirhind Feeder Command and Bathinda Branch Command in Muktsar district and for installation of 555 reverse osmosis (RO) plants in 546 villages for providing potable water to meet drinking and cooking requirements," said an official release issued by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard).

Reconstruction of water courses will facilitate delivery of full entitlement of supply of water to each holding in the entire 'chak' of outlet, especially to tail end farmers on unlined channels, it said.

As much as 46,420 hectare of farm area will be benefited, it said.

Installation of 555 RO plants will provide safe drinking water, which will result in reduction in incidence of serious diseases resulting from underground water with high contaminants like uranium, cadmium, selenium, lead and combination of two to three heavy metal, release said, adding that treated water will be provided at the door steps for lonely elderly people of 70 years and above, without any extra cost.