Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh, October 1-
The dream envisioned by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is to ensure that the water reaches every field in the State and it is in this respect that the role of the Water Resources Department assumes a great significance.
Chairing the introductory meeting of the Water Resources Department, the Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal exhorted the officers of the department to keep the benefit of the people uppermost in their minds while drafting new policies. Emphasizing that the conservation of the groundwater is the need of the hour, the Minister said that the usage of canal water should be taken to the maximum level. The Minister also termed it as a matter of pride that during the past 2 years, a total of 15914 water channels measuring 4200 Km in length have been restored.
Apprising the Minister, the Principal Secretary, Water Resources Krishan Kumar said that in 94 villages of the State, water has reached for the first time and in 49 villages, the water has reached after a span of 35-40 years. Besides, nearly 414 Km of abandoned canals have been restored and 100 escapes are under construction in order to save farmers during canal breach.