Punjab water resource and mining and geology minister Barinder Kumar Goyal, on Thursday, reviewed the reconstruction of the Dhussi embankment along the Sutlej river at Sasrali Colony village in Ludhiana.
He directed officials to ensure that all works are completed within the stipulated timeframe and to the highest quality standards, keeping the ongoing monsoon season in view, so that the safety of lives and property is fully secured.
Goyal said that the reconstruction of the nearly 3,300-foot stretch of the embankment, which had been washed away at Sasrali Colony village, is progressing steadily. The project is being executed at an estimated cost of around ₹11.75 crore. Nearly 2,00,000 cubic metres of earth is being used for rebuilding the embankment, of which around 1,50,000 cubic metres has already been laid. The remaining work will be completed shortly, he added.
Highlighting the project’s engineering significance, the cabinet minister said that PPMF (Polypropylene Multifilament) Geotubes are being installed along the toe of the river-facing side of the embankment to provide enhanced erosion protection.
Around 450 geotubes are planned for installation, out of which nearly 325 have already been placed, with the remaining work to be completed within days. He said this is the first project of its kind in Punjab employing PPMF Geotube technology and marks a significant milestone in the adoption of advanced geosynthetic engineering solutions for riverbank protection and flood management.
{{/usCountry}}Around 450 geotubes are planned for installation, out of which nearly 325 have already been placed, with the remaining work to be completed within days. He said this is the first project of its kind in Punjab employing PPMF Geotube technology and marks a significant milestone in the adoption of advanced geosynthetic engineering solutions for riverbank protection and flood management.
{{/usCountry}}The water resources minister took a detailed review of the progress of the project and inspected the ongoing works at the site. He said that chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led Punjab government is firmly committed to strengthening the state’s river embankments and minimising flood risks.
He said the reinforcement of the Dhussi embankment will provide substantial protection to villages and adjoining areas along the Satluj River and help prevent damage caused by the pressure of rising river waters during the monsoon.Goyal instructed officials to ensure strict adherence to all safety protocols during construction and directed them to deploy additional machinery and manpower wherever required to expedite the remaining work.
He also interacted with local residents and patiently heard their concerns and suggestions. He assured them that the safety and welfare of the people remain the government’s foremost priority and that all necessary arrangements are being put in place well in advance to effectively deal with any emergency situation during the rainy season.The cabinet minister directed officials to conduct regular reviews of the project and ensure timely completion of all works while keeping public interest at the forefront.
Inaugurates wastewater-based irrigation
project at Jagraon
Punjab soil and water conservation, mines and geology and water resources minister Barinder Kumar Goyal on Thursday inaugurated treated wastewater-based irrigation project developed by the soil and water conservation department, Punjab at Jagraon.Constructed at a cost of ₹5.34 crore, the project will channel treated water from the local sewage treatment plant (STP) for agricultural irrigation.
The cabinet minister was accompanied by Jagraon member of legislative assembly Sarvjit Kaur Manuke, Punjab chief soil conservator Mahinder Singh, Jagraon additional deputy commissioner Manjit Singh Cheema, sub-divisional magistrate Badaldeen and Ludhiana divisional soil conservation officer Nidhi Batta.
Addressing the gathering, Barinder Kumar Goyal said, “the Punjab government is undertaking a series of initiatives to arrest the alarming decline in the state’s groundwater table.
The utilisation of treated wastewater from sewage treatment plants for agricultural irrigation has become the need of the hour. Such initiatives will not only reduce dependence on groundwater but will also ensure the productive utilisation of treated water that was earlier being discharged into nearby drains.”
He said, “With the completion of this project, Punjab’s capacity to utilise treated water for irrigation will reach nearly 500 MLD, while 22 additional projects with a combined capacity of 210 MLD are currently under construction.” He added that these projects are emerging as model initiatives for replication across the country.