JUNE 30 DEADLINE SET FOR FLOOD WORKS, PUSH TO EXPAND CANAL IRRIGATION BEYOND 78 PERCENT
STATE SCALES UP SOLAR IRRIGATION, CHECK DAMS AND WATERLOGGED LAND RECLAMATION PROJECTS
BARINDER KUMAR GOYAL REVIEWS DEPARTMENTS’ PROGRESS
Chandigarh, April 23:
Punjab Water Resources, Soil and Water Conservation and Mining & Geology Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal conducted a high-level review meeting of the three departments and issued strict directions aimed at strengthening enforcement, accelerating irrigation projects and ensuring flood preparedness across the state.
Reviewing the functioning of the Mining Department, the Cabinet Minister directed officials to constitute Flying Squads to effectively check illegal mining activities. He called for operationalisation of the maximum number of mining sites under the Commercial Mining Sites (CRMS) framework to streamline operations and improve transparency. Stressing the need for modern governance tools, he underscored adoption of advanced software systems for real-time monitoring and regulation of the mining sector.
While assessing the Water Resources Department progress, Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal instructed that all flood preventive works must be completed before June 30 to avert any exigencies during the monsoon season. He further directed officials to enhance the area under canal water irrigation beyond the existing 78 percent coverage.
The Minister directed the department to expedite ongoing canal water utilisation projects in view of the upcoming harvest season. He also emphasised scaling up of waterlogged land reclamation initiatives across all affected districts to maximise agricultural output and ensure sustainable water management.
During the review of the Department of Soil and Water Conservation, the Cabinet Minister was apprised that 5,253 kilometres of irrigation pipeline has been laid to provide canal water, benefitting over 1,61,000 acres of agricultural land. Highlighting key initiatives of the state government, the Cabinet Minister informed that three major programmes have been launched, which include creation of solar-powered irrigation infrastructure using village ponds, construction of check dams in the kandi region to control soil erosion, mitigate flash floods and recharge groundwater and a flagship project for reclamation of waterlogged lands in 29 villages of Fazilka district.
He further stated that solar-powered irrigation systems have already been installed on more than 250 village ponds, benefitting around 10,500 acres of farmland. The waterlogged area reclamation project is progressing steadily and is expected to be completed in four villages by the end of May.
Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Additional Chief Secretary Mining Mrs. Jaspreet Talwar, Principal Secretary Water Resources Sh. Krishan Kumar, Director Mining Mr. Abhijeet Kaplish, Chief Conservator of Soils Mr. Mohinder Singh Saini, Chief Engineer (Mining and Drainage) S. Hardeep Singh Mendiratta, Chief Engineer (Canals) Mr. Sher Singh, MD PWRMDC Sh. Manoj Bansal, XEN (Soil and Water Conservation) Mr. GS Dhillon.
