CM gives NOD to this ambitious plan with 14 point action plan
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
For the first time in the history of the state, the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Friday gave nod to a 14 point action plan as a part of Integrated State Water Plan to preserve and replenish groundwater in the state.
Chairing a meeting of the Water Resources department pertaining to Integrated State Water Plan, the Chief Minister said that the plan has been meticulously prepared by the Water Resources department of the state in consultation with all the eminent departments. He said that the situation in the state is already alarming as 115 blocks of the state out of total 153 are over exploited in terms of groundwater extraction. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the plan focuses on saving the groundwater and enhancing the usage of canal water for various motives.
The Chief Minister also expressed concern over the annual Average of the lowering of water level by 0.7 meter due to extraction of 5.2 Billion Cubic Metre water. He said that it can be done by reducing the Ground Water Demand, Decreasing Agricultural Water Demand, Improving the Techniques of Irrigation, Replenishing the Groundwater and artificially augmenting the groundwater. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that along with it efforts must be made for finding other sustainable Sources, Deep Aquifer Exploration and Promoting Use of Surface water.
The Chief Minister further added that the government has already worked extensively on restoring and expanding the existing surface water infrastructure. He reiterated that the government is duty bound to give water to every tail end user and working on this principle the government has already restored 17,000 water courses with an approximate length of about 6,300 KM abandoned for 30 to 40 years, 79 canals, covering 545 km, have been restored after 30 to 40 years of abandonment. Bhagwant Singh Mann also gave nod for a 14 point action plan as a part of Integrated State Water Plan which includes Effective Irrigation plan for Optimum use of water in the field.
The Chief Minister said that the plan should aim to bring around 15,79,379 hectares area under various water efficient techniques such as drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation and others instead of conventional irrigation methods to reduce the net water demand and wastage of water by increasing the efficiency. Similarly Bhagwant Singh Mann said that first preference should be given where a working head is available and a pipeline may be proposed instead of open water course. He also said that the plan will focus on restoration of canal water courses thereby ensuring judicious, equitable and sustainable utilisation of surface water.