Govt issues advisory for non-use of water discharged in canals
Chandigarh, May 18, 2022: The Punjab Irrigation department has issued advisory for non-use of water discharged in canals which furthers flows towards Rajasthan also in Bikaner Canal from Bare wala headworks.
Ferozepur Feeder at Barewala head, was also visited by Cabinet Minister Brahm Shankar Sharma few days back, to review the canal water flow. It further enters in Bikaner canal which receives its water from the Sutlej River in Punjab.
Two rivers - Beas and Sutlej - merge at Harike Headworks and the residue water of factories at Ludhiana are continuously contaminating the water of these rivers, resulting in facing of serious diseases like cancer and skin.
In the advisory letter by Chief Engineer, to all the Canal officers in the state, the Standard Operating Procedure - SOP - for operation of Harike Headworks has been set up by BBMB to prevent polluted water from entering the canals.
In this context, a meeting was also held today on May 16, through VC for review. The results of saplings conducted by the Punjab Pollution Control Board and the State of Rajasthan during the meeting showed that in the present situation the water reaching the Harike headworks could only be used for irrigation.
During the meeting the State of Rajasthan repeatedly demanded release of water for irrigation due to high demand in Bikaner Canal and Dependent Areas.
It has been decided to release water for this purpose and Rajasthan, stating that this water will be used only for irrigation and in the dependent area of Bikaner Canal, advice will be issued not to drink this water.
The Rajasthan highlighting the problem of contaminated water in their state has demanded a permanent solution to the issue.
Many districts of Rajasthan are supplied with water from the Rajasthan Canal. However, industrial waste mixes with water in Ludhiana district of Punjab.
This matter has been highlighted earlier also at the level of the government, but till date no solution has been found. In the absence of any solution, the people have no option but to drink contaminated water in our state.
Added here, Bikaner canal provides water to Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner districts. Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jodhpur, Nagaur, Sikar, Jhunjhunu also get water supply from this canal. Cancer is increasing in the areas filled with water from this canal. Apart from this, people living on the banks of the canal are also suffering from stomach ailments.