The North News
Chandigarh, March 25
Punjab’s Rural Development and Panchayat Minister, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, has announced an ambitious plan to clean village ponds across the state ahead of the monsoon season. Speaking in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Sond stated that all ponds would be emptied before the rains arrive, with machinery deployed where necessary to expedite the process.
Responding to a question from MLA Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon, Sond said that de-silting and re-silting operations would be carried out as required. He added that efforts would also focus on improving the aesthetics of pond edges, with grass to be planted along the banks.
In Gidderbaha Assembly Constituency alone, there are 147 ponds spread across 52 gram panchayats. According to the minister, 35 ponds in 25 gram panchayats have already been cleaned under the MGNREGA scheme and other funding sources in the 2024-25 period. A special campaign has been planned to clean the remaining 112 ponds in 27 gram panchayats during 2025-26, utilizing funds from MGNREGA, the 15th Finance Commission, and other local development resources.
The initiative is part of Punjab’s broader efforts to enhance rural sanitation and water conservation. Officials say that ensuring clean and well-maintained village ponds will help improve groundwater recharge, support biodiversity, and prevent waterlogging during the monsoon.
