Water shortage to hit parts of Punjab, Rajasthan as work to repair canal starts

Not only this, because of the relining work, water supply in the two canals running adjacent to Sirhind feeder – Bhakra canal and Indira Gandhi canal – is likely to be reduced by the Punjab canal irrigation department to maintain the water pressure, as otherwise it can cause breach of either canal. The water from the two canals – Bhakra canal and Indira Gandhi canal – is used by Rajasthan, and apprehending its (water) possible reduction from March 15 is giving the Rajasthan farmers anxious moments.

Punjab canal irrigation department has proposed to temporarily close the Sirhind feeder canal from March 15. Sources revealed that talks were going on to reduce the flow of water in Indira Gandhi canal and Bhakra canal till March 31, instead of closing them completely.

Accordingly, some adjustment will be made to give water to Rajasthan farmers for irrigation purposes. Following this temporary arrangement, dharna of farmers was lifted from Hanumangarh (Rajasthan) at about 9pm on Wednesday. They had staged the dharna outside the office of irrigation department in Hanumangarh.

In April 2022 a breach had occurred 2-3 times in Sirhind feeder canal which was undergoing maintenance and the adjacent Indira Gandhi canal was flowing with full capacity, revealed information.

“Normally water supply in all the canals of Rajasthan coming from Punjab is stopped temporarily for 20 to 60 days for maintenance of canals from April 1 or March-end onwards, but this closure may happen in mid-March. This will affect the wheat crop standing in the fields of farmers of Ganganagar and Hanumangarh districts, apart from causing shortage of drinking water in the area,” said Rajat Swami, a BJP leader of Ganganagar, who also wrote a letter to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann.

Gurbir Singh Brar, Sadulshahr MLA (of Ganganagar district), also spoke to Punjab irrigation minister Chetan Singh Jauramajra to delay the relining work by a fortnight. Brar also wrote to Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma to raise the matter with his Punjab counterpart, otherwise farmers of Ganganagar and Hanumangarh will face damage to crops.

“Farmers of Fazilka have also called for a meeting on March 15 to discuss the matter and if department doesn’t postpone it, we will start agitation on this issue,” said Darshan Singh of Giddranwali village, Abohar.

Sukhmander Singh, president of BKU Rajewal (Fazilka district), said, “Relining of Sirhind feeder at this time when wheat crop is about to ripen is an ill-conceived decision. Not only this, even kinnow orchards also need water. This will result in no canal water supply in Muktsar and Fazilka districts which are largely dependent on canal water only due to unsafe groundwater. There is one Sukhchain minor in Abohar which is lying closed for the past one month, so if this proposal takes effect, it will remain closed for some more time. What is the government up to? Does it plan anything properly?”

The Indian Express tried contacting Sher Singh, chief engineer, irrigation department, but he could not be reached. Sources revealed that talks between the irrigation departments of Punjab and Rajasthan are on but decision on delaying the relining hasn’t yet been taken.

It may be noted that relining of Sirhind feeder needs to be done from Gurdittawala head to Faridkot which is about 14 km. Only this patch is left. The rest of the relining had already been done in the past. This feeder originates from Mallanwaka area of Ferozepur and goes up to Fazilka through various distributories.