Punjab: Irrigation department started cleaning campaign on Gang Canal
Punjab: After a gap of about 32 months, the Punjab Irrigation Department has launched a major drive to clean the Gang Canal. There are wild bushes on both sides of the Gang Canal. The bushes obstruct the flow of water. For cleaning, the supply of six other canals in the Abohar area has been stopped till December 17. The Rajasthan government had allocated Rs 80 lakh for cleaning the canal. The capacity of this canal is 2500 cusecs of water. However, due to its bad condition, about 500 cusecs of water is flowing in the canal. The cleaning work started earlier this month from the origin of the canal near Ferozepur Headworks. The work is going on with a target of cleaning about one Burji canal daily.
The cleaning work in Punjab is being done with two high-capacity machines. Farmers of the area, who depend on the canal for water, are closely monitoring the progress to ensure transparency. He stressed that proper cleaning will ensure a steady supply of water for irrigation and drinking needs. Gang Canal Project Chairman Harvinder Singh Gill said the cleaning is taking place from RD 45, Ballanwala near Ferozepur. He said, “We are cleaning one ‘Burji’ canal every day and the progress is being closely monitored by vigilant farmers posted in the Punjab area. As long as the machines are in operation, they will keep an eye on the work and give regular updates.” Gill further said that once the cleaning is complete, water transport losses in Punjab will be reduced significantly. The last cleaning drive in the Punjab area was carried out in April 2022 from RD 45, Ballanwala to Khakhan Headworks located on the Abohar-Sriganganagar border.