Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma inspected various irrigation schemes in Hanumangarh district on the first day of his two -day visit on Tuesday and addressed the farmers. He said that farmers have an important role in the progress of the state. If the farmers are empowered, the state will also become rich. He assured that his government is committed to providing adequate water and electricity to farmers and strengthening the canal system.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has taken several important decisions like strengthening ERCP, Yamuna Water Agreement, Mahi Basin Management and Indira Gandhi Canal Project. He announced that projects worth Rs 3,400 crore would be launched to strengthen the project. Apart from this, necessary work will also be done to solve the problems of canals related to Bhakra and Ganga.
The Chief Minister visited several places including Lakhwali Head, Ghaggar Diversion Channel and Kohala. He inspected the water flow capacity of Ghaggar River and the functioning of the diversion channel. Meanwhile, he instructed the officials to do necessary work for flood safety in the catchment area of Ghaggar River. It is noteworthy that the Chief Minister had announced the implementation of flood safety projects in the catchment area of Ghaggar river at a cost of Rs 325 crore.
The Chief Minister inspected Harike Barrage at Tarn Taran, Punjab and studied the functioning of the canal. He then conducted aerial inspection of Mallewala Head, Batwala Head, Bikaner Canal, Ferozepur Feeder and Indira Gandhi feeder.
He then reached Lohgarh Head in Sirsa district of Haryana, where he inspected the contact route associated with the Bhakra Irrigation Project. Inspecting the relaying work of the head and canal built on Indira Gandhi feeder, necessary instructions were given to the officers. The officials of the Water Resources Department informed the Chief Minister about the availability and water supply of water to the end of the canal through maps.
A glimpse of budget announcements
The Chief Minister said that in the budget of 2024-25, it has been announced to develop a scada system for better management of Indira Gandhi Canal Project at a cost of Rs 23 crore. At the same time, a project of Rs 200 crore has been approved to provide water to a part of Rajasthan under Ferozepur feeder.
The Chief Minister was given a grand welcome at many places including Lakhuwali, Ghaggar Diversion Channel Point and Kohala in the district. On this occasion, the Chief Minister said that Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh districts have the most wheat producing areas in the state. Recently, farmers of these districts have got direct benefits due to the increase in the MSP of wheat and the increase in the Kisan Samman Nidhi. He reiterated that the state government is committed to fulfilling the promises made in its manifesto and all possible assistance will be provided to the farmers.
Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sumit Godara, Water Resources Minister Suresh Singh Rawat, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Hiralal Nagar, MLA Gurveer Singh Brar, Sanjeev Beniwal, Ganesh Raj Bansal, Additional Chief Secretary (Water Resources) Abhay Kumar, Chief Engineer and Additional Secretary (West) Amarjeet Singh were present on the occasion.
