Badal asks for World Bank aid to remodel Punjab's canal network

Chandigarh, May 31 (UNI) A World Bank team led by its Director Ms Isabel Guerrero asked the Punjab Government to send a complete proposal for the remodeling and rejuvenation of the 150 year old canal network in the state to augment the water intake capacity.

The team called on Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at Kapurthala House in New Delhi today.

Ms Guerrero said that the World Bank would get this proposal thoroughly examined from its technical experts for the remodeling of the canal system. She appreciated the concern of the state government as the groundwater was fast depleting and canal water was the only reliable source.

Mr Badal told the team that due to heavy silt deposits very little water reached the tail ends of canals.

The Chief Minister also urged the World Bank for the funding of an ambitious programme of setting up of 140 Adarsh Schools for the 'gifted poor' in every block of the state. He also thanked the World Bank for approving two mega projects of safe drinking water and road network in the state.

UNI