Chandigarh: The Doaba region of Punjab is all set to get a big boost with Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal giving his nod to Rs. 211 crore rehabilitation project of Bist Doab Canal and its distributaries. The Project when completed would result in six fold increase in the irrigation potential of the the Bist Doab Canal System from present capacity of 30364 hectares to 172981 hectares. In a high level meeting, the Deputy Chief Minister said that SAD-BJP Government was fully committed to rejuvenate the canal system to increase its irrigation capacity to cater to the increasing demand of water for new cropping pattern. Mr. Badal regretted that Congress led UPA Government despite repeated pleas of the Punjab Government has failed to address to the need of Punjab for Rs. 3000 crore to rejuvenate the total canal system as ignoring this system could have direct impact on the food security of the country.

Mr. Badal said that Punjab Government was committed to the cause of farmers and has sanctioned Rs. 211 crore for rehabilitation of Bist Doab Canal and its distributaries. Giving the details of project, Mr. Badal said that Bist Doab Canal that off-takes from right side of Roper Head Works on river Sutlej with a authorized full supply discharge of 1452 cusecs caters to the irrigation needs of districts of Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahar, Jalandhar and Kapurthala. He said that 811 Kilometer long Bist Doab Canal System has not been relined since its construction since 1954-55. Reiterating the resolve of rejuvenating the Canal system, Mr. Badal said that the whole system of Bist Doab Canal was unlined except Jalandhar branch reducing the capacity of the irrigation Canal system. It was informed in the meeting that two main branches namely Jalandhar Branch and Nawanshahar Branch that off-take from RD 94195/R and tail RD 141000 with authorized full supply discharge of 500 cusecs and 497 cusecs respectively whereas Banga and Mukandpur distributaries also off-take from RD 141000/TR of Bist Doab Canal. It was also informed that Nawanshahar Branch has a length of 75000’(22.87Km.) whereas Jalandhar Branch has length of 226000’ (69.90 Km.).

It was decided in the meeting that the Bist Doab Canal system except be provided with side lining only and the bed of the channels are left unlined so that the recharging process of ground water table in the command area of Bist Doab system continuously takes place. The Deputy Chief Minister also sanctioned a rehabilitation of syphon aqueduct at Jalandhar Branch that was damaged during the floods that would increase the irrigation area by 158416 acres.