Chandigarh: Punjab water resources minister Barinder Kumar Goyal on Monday informed the Vidhan Sabha that the state government has undertaken extensive measures to strengthen flood protection infrastructure along vulnerable stretches of the Beas and Sutlej rivers to safeguard villages, agricultural land and lives in flood-prone areas.Replying to Calling Attention Notices moved by independent MLA Rana Inder Partap Singh and MLA Rajneesh Kumar Dahiya, Goyal said the government had adopted a technically driven approach to identify, prioritise and strengthen vulnerable locations along the two rivers.Responding to concerns regarding vulnerable stretches of the Beas from Beas Bridge on the Amritsar road to Harike Pattan, the minister said the department carried out detailed surveys through its drainage divisions. A committee of superintending engineers subsequently conducted field inspections, identified vulnerable spots and recommended suitable engineering interventions.Goyal said several vulnerable locations were identified along the river and flood protection works worth Rs 32.09 crore were taken up using state funds. Of these, 12 projects have been completed, while one is currently under execution.The completed works include river erosion control measures such as the construction of studs, revetments and spurs at critical locations. In addition, the department executed Rs 11.98 crore worth of flood protection and anti-erosion works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).The minister claimed that no breach had occurred in any flood protection embankment along this stretch of the Beas during the last five flood seasons.Addressing concerns raised by MLA Rajneesh Kumar Dahiya regarding flood protection structures along the Sutlej in Mamdot sub-tehsil, Goyal said the condition of damaged structures had already been assessed through field inspections.Based on recommendations made by a field-level committee, a proposal for repair and reconstruction of the damaged structures has been included under the Flood Management Programme. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been submitted to the Centre for approval, he added.Box | MLA raises dam water release issueMLA Rana Inder Pratap Singh asked Goyal if there was a plan for release of surplus Bhakra Dam and Pong Dam during the monsoon season. “In recent years, large amounts of runoff water has filled up the reservoirs in a matter of days. There has been inconsistent release of water from dams,” he questioned. Goyal said that unverified statements about the dams could create unnecessary panic among people.Box: ‘Flood-hit Army, BSF pickets await central funds’Punjab water resources minister Barinder Kumar Goyal informed the House that Army and BSF pickets along rivers in the state were damaged during the 2023 floods. He said even though a Rs 176 crore proposal was sent to the Centre, it was still pending even after repeated reminders.
