Ferozepur: Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday inaugurated the first phase of the reconstruction and relining of the Ferozepur Feeder canal, calling it a landmark gift to farmers and a decisive step towards securing the state’s water future. Declaring the canal as the lifeline of the Malwa region, the CM said the project would prove to be a boon for Ferozepur, Faridkot, Muktsar and Fazilka districts, enhancing irrigation capacity and ensuring that canal water reaches deeper into the fields of Punjab.He said while the previous regimes failed for 74 years to increase the canal’s capacity or undertake concrete lining, the current Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt delivered structural reform on the ground. He highlighted that when his govt assumed office, canal water reached only 21% of Punjab’s fields, whereas today it reaches 68%, transforming irrigation coverage across the state.
Reiterating that the state had no surplus water to share, Mann said the interests of Punjab were supreme and not even a single drop of water would be given to any other state. He stated that Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal govts betrayed Punjab by signing agreements to divert water to other states. Taking a swipe at the Akalis, he said a party that could not find 11 members to form a committee was dreaming of winning 117 seats in Punjab. Addressing the gathering on the occasion, the CM said, “Today is a historic and joyous day for the people of Punjab, especially for the Malwa region. With the relining, this canal will prove to be a boon for humans, livestock, and the agricultural sector by fulfilling the water needs of all.” Mann added, “The depth of the canal has increased from 18 feet to 21 feet and the width of the canal has increased from 163 feet to 180 feet.” Originating from Harike Headworks, he said, the canal provides irrigation facilities to areas falling under four districts: Ferozepur, Faridkot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Fazilka. “A total of 14 blocks, including Gidderbaha, Makhu, Mamdot, Balluana, Jalalabad, Guru Har Sahai, Arniwala, Khuiyan Sarwar, Lambi, Malout, Fazilka, Muktsar, and Ferozepur, in these districts will directly benefit from the relining of this canal,” he added. MSID:: 128784892 413 |
