CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Government has prepared an ambitious project costing Rs.326.40 crore for construction of 78 km long Mewat canal and the same has been forwarded to the Government of India for its approval.

While giving this information here Sunday, the Irrigation Minister, Capt.Ajay Singh Yadav said that the Haryana Government was committed to provide irrigation and drinking water facilities to the backward area of Mewat and for this purpose, this project had been prepared by the Government.

While giving details of the canal, he said that it would have the carrying capacity of 728 cusecs at head while it would deliver 638 cusecs of water into Gurgaon canal for about 60 days during the monsoon season. He said that after completion of Bhakra main line Hansi Branch Mutana Branch multipurpose link channel, 200 to 300 cusecs regular water could be made available. He expressed hope that after the construction of upstream storages on river Yamuna, more water would be made available in the canal.

Capt.Yadav said that for the optimum utilisation of surplus rain water for agricultural purposes, renovation of Kotla lake at a cost of about Rs.100 crore was being undertaken. He said that a detailed report for the development of Kotla lake was being prepared and it was expected that this canal would store 25,000 acre feet rain water and the use for the same would be ensured for agricultural purposes in the month of October.

He said that the main aim of the Government was to provide sufficient water for irrigation purposes by making better management and cleaning the canals, watercourses and minors in the State. He said that the Government was also committed to provide equitable distribution of available water in the State.

Capt.Yadav said that during the rainy season, for the optimum use of surplus Yamuna water, a scheme known as 'Ambala Irrigation Scheme' had been envisaged at a cost of Rs.294 crore and the same had been forwarded to the Central Water Commission for its approval.