Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh, February 23 -
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal has proposed a budget allocation of Rs. 6,247.27 crore for the irrigation and water resources sector, marking a 30.90 percent increase compared to the current financial year's revised estimates of Rs. 4,772.54 crore. The decision to stop the levy of abiana has also been announced from April 1, 2024. This move is aimed at providing relief to farmers dependent on canal water, benefiting approximately 4,299 villages with a one-time waiver of about Rs. 140 crore and an annual relief of Rs. 54 crore.
The Chief Minister highlighted the challenges recognizing the challenges faced by the Western Jamuna Canal (WJC) carrier system during non-monsoon period, a new Parallel Lined Channel (PLC) with a capacity of 6000 Cusecs is currently under construction. In addition, the augmentation of the capacity of the Augmentation Canal and Parallel Delhi Branch is underway with an investment of Rs. 465 crore.
He said that the Government is committed towards the implementation of the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal to utilise the legitimate share of Haryana in the water of Ravi-Beas river system. Several meetings have been held with Punjab and the Union Jal Shakti Ministry to resolve long pending issue of construction of SYL.To reiterate this commitment, the state governement propose to continue the outlay of Rs. 100 crore for 2024-25.
He said that two projects namely the remodelling of Gurugram Water Supply Channel (GWS) and the Mewat Feeder Pipeline Project to solve the drinking water of the Gurugram and Mewat region, have been planned to cater to the future drinking and industrial water demand up to the year 2050 for Nuh District Gurugram, Manesar and Bahadurgarh cities and the newly developing industrial areas of IMTs at Manesar, Sohna, Kharkhoda and Bahadurgarh, Dharuhera Industrial Area and adjoining villages by enhancing the existing design capacity of 175 cusecs to 686 cusecs. The two projects are estimated to cost Rs. 3,028 crore and the work is likely to commence by August, 2024.
Furthermore, an agreement has been signed between Haryana and Rajasthan with the support of the Union Ministry of Jal Shaktion February 17, 2024 for utilisation of the excess waters of the river Yamuna during monsoon period. During this period, water flow exceeds 24,000 cusecs. The excess waters available for a short period of time will be stored and a pipeline will be laid to carry the water for irrigation purposes to the water deficit districts of Bhiwani, Charkhi-Dadri and Hisar. In addition, pipeline will also be laid by Rajasthan, to carry water to Rajasthan. This will ensure that excess flood water is stored, and used for agriculture and drinking purposes and at the same time possibilities of floods will be reduced, he added.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed the state government's commitment to improve canal infrastructure. During 2023-24, rehabilitation of major Channels has been successfully completed, namely JLN Feder, Hansi Branch, Balsamand Sub Branch, Loharu Distributary, Narnaul Branch, Kural Distributary, Dewana Distributary, New Siwani Feeder, Sherpura Distributary.
He further stated that conservation of water during monsoon is priority of Government. During 2023-24, 5 check dams and 26 water bodies in Mahendargarh have been constructed and water has been conserved in these water bodies. This enhanced water storage capacity is poised to make a positive impact on local agriculture with a more consistent and reliable water source.
Moreover, in the past three years, 1745 ponds including 769 Amrit Sarovar ponds have been rejuvenated. State Government further propose the rehabilitation, renovation and restoration of 2494 ponds in 2024-25.