The North News
Chandigarh, March 24
Punjab Water Resources Minister Barindar Kumar Goyal said on Monday that efforts are underway to provide canal water for irrigation to 75 villages in the Nurpur Bedi block of Ropar district, with feasibility studies under review. Responding to a question in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Goyal said two agencies have submitted Expressions of Interest (EOI) proposals, which a senior officials’ committee is assessing. Once technical feasibility and funding are determined, the project will be sent to the Central Water Commission for approval.
He said that the region’s mountainous terrain makes canal irrigation challenging. The government is considering three options: drawing water from Nangal Dam, storing monsoon water from the Swan River, or using the Sri Anandpur Sahib Hydel Channel. A committee of Superintending Engineers is reviewing reports to finalize the best approach.
