Punjab works on Rs 2,246-cr project to end water-logging

The Punjab government is implementing a Rs 2,246-crore project for desalination of around 60,000 hectare of land of farmers in south-west region of the state.
State Irrigation Minister Sharanjit Singh Dhillon said that the Central Government has approved the Rs 2,246 crore Dr Mihir Shah Project to make the south west region of Punjab seepage free.
He said that the Project has three components out of which two components with Rs 1286 crore are for relining of Rajasthan and Sirhind Feeders canals, and other component with Rs 960 crore for drainage surface and sub-surface works and Rs 320 crore for miscellaneous works that are underway.

Waterlogging and salinisation, which have emerged as a major impediment to the sustainability of irrigated lands and livelihoods of farmers in South-West Punjab, are the result of a multitude of factors.
These include seepage from unlined earthen canals system, inadequate provision of surface and subsurface drainage, poor water management practices, insufficient water supplies and use of poor quality groundwater for irrigation.
For underground piping, under Sub surface scheme four trenching machines of Rs 25 crore were purchased from the Netherlands and the process of underground piping in the south west region is going on, said the Irrigation Minister.

He said that with the initiation of this project will make 60,000 hectare of area seepage proof and under this project the south west region of Punjab will have Sub Surface schemes, cemented works, desalting of drains, widening of drains and lift schemes, lining of drains and construction of new drains.

Dhillon further added that present year, Dewatering arrangements from flood prone areas and unclogging drainage system addressed by Deputy Commissioners have been completed and out of them high priority works of Rs 98.82 Core will be initiated first.
Funds have been allocated for these projects.
He added that the Sewerage Department have been allotted work for repairing of 1362.88 kilometer of canals, river training works like Spur, stud and up keeping of drains spread in 7392 kilometers.