 Early Times Report
NEW DELHI, Aug 6: Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Satnam Singh Sandhu has urged the Union government to take special measures for modernisation of Punjab's canal system and rejuvenation of water bodies to ensure water security in the state which, he said, is facing a severe water crisis due to depleting groundwater levels and diminishing water-holding capacity of old canals.
Raising the issue in Rajya Sabha during the on-going Monsoon Session of Parliament, MP Satnam Singh Sandhu said Punjab is the grain bowl of India and state's farmers have played significant role in strengthening the nation's food security ever since the Green Revolution.
"However, today Punjab is facing major challenges such as rapidly depleting groundwater levels and a severe water crisis. Most of the state's canals have become old, their water-holding capacity has diminished due to silting, structural damage and water leakage. Punjab's most canals still operate using traditional systems. Similarly, there is an urgent need to maintain, desilt, revive, and enhance the water-holding capacity of all major wetlands in Punjab, including Ropar, Harike, Kanjli, Keshopur, Miani, Nangal, Jhajjar, and Badoli," he said.
MP Satnam Singh Sandhu further said the area under canal irrigation in Punjab has shrunk and expanding this coverage is the need of the hour. "I urge the government to take special measures to modernize Punjab's canal infrastructure. The Ravi river water available from the Shahpur Kandi Dam should be integrated into Punjab's canal system and special central assistance should be provided for the repair, modernisation, strengthening, redevelopment, and operational upkeep of all major canals in the state," he said. |
