MP seeks water panel nod for Ghaggar embankments

Tribune News Service
Patiala, July 25

The local Member Parliament (MP), Preneet Kaur, on Thursday met the Union Minister for Jal Shakti, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, for the construction of 17.5 km-long stretch on the Ghaggar river.

The minister has sought clearance from Central Water Commission (CWC) for the construction of embankments from Makor Sahib to Karali under phase-II as per the recommendations of a model study.

Preneet Kaur handed over a detailed memorandum to the Union Minister urging him to ask the Haryana Government to give early approval for the work keeping in view the interest of the public. 

“Alternatively, existing embankments raised by villagers should be strengthened immediately. The right solution, however, is a CWC approved channelisation plan for the entire length as the river runs zig-zag between Haryana and Punjab,” the MP said. 

She also apprised the Union Minister about flooding of 48,024 acres in Patiala and 21,775 acres in Sangrur district, which adversely affected 228 villages in Patiala district.

This year Patiala and Sangrur districts were flooded due to heavy rains from July 15 to 17 when all the nine tributaries of the Ghaggar river swelled with rainwater, the MP added. 

Preneet Kaur was accompanied by Members of Parliament Santokh Chaudhary, Ravneet Bittu, Gurjit Singh Aujla and Amar Singh at the meeting with Union Minister.