Rs 137.43 Crore project for river Ghaggar: Sekhon

Chandigarh, Oct 15 (UNI) Punjab Government would spend Rs 137.43 crore on strengthening and widening of river Ghaggar from Khanouri to Karail and Khanouri to Makrour Sahib, in Sangrur district to protect agricultural land and crops from the floods.

Punjab Irrigation Minister Janmeja Singh Sekhon said that Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal would launch the project on October 17.

Giving details of the scheme, Mr Sekhon said on completion of the project, 60000 acres of Agricultural land of 44 villages of district Sangrur and Patiala would be saved from the flood waters.

Under this scheme, 40 Km length of river Ghaggar would be widened and banks would also be constructed on both sides of the river to tame the floods.

With this the capacity would also be increased to carry 25000 Cusecs of water. In first phase, 22.45 Km length would be widened and strengthened upto village Makrour Sahib.

Mr Sekhon further said that 668 acres of land falling under widening and construction of banks has been acquired and compensation to the tune of Rs 45 crore has been given to the farmers.

The project would be completed in record time of three months to benefit 18 villages of Patiala and 26 Villages of Sangrur district, Mr Sekhon said.

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