Cleanliness drive of Holy Bein begins afresh

Hoshiarpur, Oct 30 (UNI) After several efforts to clean the holy Bein, the sacred rivulet which was earlier known as 'Kali Bein' all through these years, a comprehensive project has been prepared for the purpose to be carried out by Punjab government along with Ek Onkar Charitable Trust of Sant Baba Balbir Singh of Sichewal.

In the first phase of this project, the outfall of sewage and sullage water of the adjoining 38 villages and seven towns of Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala districts in the holy Bein would be stopped before January 31, 2007.

Rs three lakh has been provided to each village for making local arrangements in this connection, Punjab Principal Secretary for Technical Education and Industrial Training, who is also incharge of this project, told reporters here today.

He said treatment plants would also be installed to purify the water to be utilised for irrigation in the respected villages located on the banks of the rivulet.

The installation of boundary pillars of the Bein would soon be started for which Rs five lakh has been given to Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur districts.

A barrage would also be constructed in the Holy Bein at Budhu Barkat to streamline the water flow for which Rs 29 lakh had already been released, Mr P Ram said.

The amount given to the towns for this project was yet to be finalised, he added.

In the second phase, a complete sewerage facility would be made available in all the 38 villages and seven towns within the next three years. Regular flow of water would be arranged from Mukerian Hydel Channel in 160-Km-long Holy Bein from village Dhanoya to Harike.

He said that 20-feet-wide inspection road with cement bricks flooring would be constructed on either sides of the Holy Bein and 30-feet-wide strips with plantation of traditional fruits and ornamental plants would be developed to promote tourism in the area.

Besides, arrangements would also be made to develop organic farming in the catchment area. To attract foreign tourists, certain spots would also be developed, he said.

The Geological Survey of India had been asked to make survey in the entire catchment area to find out heritage places to develope them for tourism, he said.

He said that state government would arrange finances and Sant Baba Balbir Singh and his devotees would perform Kar Seva to complete this venture. After completion of the project, Ek Onkar Charitable Trust would maintain it, he pointed out.

UNI XC PS PK VV1802