UNA: Himachal Pardesh Chief Minister,Prem Kumar Dhumal Monday laid the foundation of ambitious NABARD funded Swan River Channelisation Phase-II at Gagret, in district Una.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister said that the second phase of the Swan River Management and Integrated Land Development Project was likely to cost Rs. 235.52 crore and the river position between Gagret Bridge and Jhalera bridge would be treated and chanalised to protect the most valuable fertile land from erosion during rainy season.

He said that about 5000 hectares of land would be reclaimed for various agriculture, horticulture and allied farming activities. He said that the project had already been cleared by Central Water Commission and Union Ministry for Environment and Forestry, thereby completing the required codal formalities to start the construction work over the second phase of the project.

Chief Minister said that the first phase of the Swan River Channelisation had been completed by spending Rs. 66.50 crore, benefiting large number of people inhabiting the banks of Swan river.

He said that by executing first phase successfully 1955 hectares of land had been reclaimed and made worth cultivation upto March, 2008, however the entire chunk of 2260 hectares would be recovered fully by June, 2008, and benefit the farmers of the area with cultivation over reclaimed land.

Prof. Dhumal said that it was the consistent endeavour of the State Government that the Swan, Critically called as "River of Sorrow" had been converted into the "River of Happiness and Prosperity", since the reclaimed farm land was growing huge quantity of season vegetables.

He said that the economy of the farmers was witnessing sea change and every day huge quantity of vegetables was being marketed outside the district. He said that farmers of the district would be gainfully self-employed on completion of the second phase of the Swan River Channelisation.

Chief Minister directed the executing department to complete the channelisation work well before the targeted date so that people of the area were benefitted with reclaimed wasteland. He assured that funds would not be any impediment in expeditious completion of the project.