Rs 137.43-crore project for river Ghaggar: Sekhon

Chandigarh, Oct 15 (UNI) The Punjab Government would spend Rs 137.43 crore on strengthening and widening of the river Ghaggar from Khanouri to Karail and Khanouri to Makrour Sahib, in Sangrur district to protect the 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, 60,000 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 the 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 25,000 cusecs of water. In the first phase, 22.45 km length would be widened and strengthened up to village Makrour Sahib.

Mr Sekhon further said that 668 acres of land, falling under the widening and construction of banks, have 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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