CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Government was going to rehabilitate first Patiala Feeder Kotla branch with a cost of Rs. 123.30 crore which would cover 500 villages of Sangrur, Mansa, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Barnala and Patiala districts of the state.

Disclosing this here on Friday Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Irrigation Minister Punjab said that Punjab Chief Minister S.Parkash Singh Badal would lay foundation  stone of this historic project which was taken up after 60 years on 12th October, 2008.

Sekhon said that with the rehabilitation of first Patiala feeder and Kotla Branch, capacity of canals would be increased which discharge 30 percent more would water. Four lakh farmers would get benefit to Irrigates their fields from this historic step taken by S.Parkash Singh Badal. Sidelining of 24 Km of first Patiala Feeder and 130 Kms length of Kotla Branch Canal would be done under this scheme. Sidelining of first Patiala Feeder of 24 Km has already been completed. Capacity of this canal to carry water was reduced to 3600 cusecs from 4010 cusecs and after rehabilitation capacity would be increased to 4914 cusecs, said Mr.Sekhon.

Giving more information regarding Kotla Branch, Sekhon said at present Kotla Branch could discharge only 2550 cusecs of water, earlier which was 3018 cusecs after rehabilitation the capacity would increase to 3304 cusecs, which means farmers would get 754 cusecs more water.

On completion of this project 265485 hectares of present area would get better facilities of Irrigation and drinking water.