CM Badal flags Punjab’s irrigation issues with Union minister Bharti

Chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday urged Union water resources minister Uma Bharti to revise the construction norms for water courses, especially in Punjab, allocations of funds for Swan River and for Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC). Badal called on Bharti at her New Delhi residence on Sunday.

Chief minister Parkash Singh Badal on Sunday urged Union water resources minister Uma Bharti to revise the construction norms for water courses, especially in Punjab, allocations of funds for Swan River and for Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC). Badal called on Bharti at her New Delhi residence on Sunday.

Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal with Union water resources minister Uma Bharti on Sunday. (HT Photo)

Badal sought Rs 35,000 per hectare as construction cost for water courses instead of Rs 25,000, as the average discharge in Punjab was 2.5 cusecs against one cusec in rest of the country.

He also sought immediate release of Rs 209 crore for the channelisation of 17km Swan river in Punjab’s territory, informing Bharti that Himachal Pradesh had already started the work on 55km on its side.

The CM requested Bharti to approve the rejuvenation of Doab Canal that was in a dilapidated condition, which was affecting its water-carrying capacity.

Bharti asked Badal to send a team of irrigation department officials to Delhi to discuss the issues.