Punjab prioritises army water amid BBMB tensions

Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal today said that the Punjab government's decision to provide water to Rajasthan for the Indian Army is in the national interest, stressing that Punjabis are known for their benevolence and willingness to help others.

The cabinet minister said that the BJP-led Union Government has not played a constructive role in resolving the BBMB issue. As Haryana has not utilized its allocated water share properly, Punjab will not tolerate any coercion, he added.

The cabinet minister clarified that Punjab is willing to provide water to Rajasthan for the army, as it is in the interest of the nation and the armed forces. However, Punjab's farmers' interests will not be compromised.

Regarding the BBMB issue, Goyal said that the organization has tried to favour Haryana and other states, despite Punjab contributing 60% of its funds. He assured that the Punjab government will take all necessary measures to protect its interests.

Speaking to the reporters, Goyal also praised the Indian Army for its surgical strikes against terrorist camps in Pakistan and expressed pride in the country's armed forces. He said the Punjab government has stood by its people during the current turmoil and will continue to do so in the future.

Earlier, the cabinet minister reviewed the development work of the 'Ditch Drain,' which runs through Lehragaga city and was long infamous for filth and ugliness, which is now being transformed into a public promenade. The work is nearing completion and will soon be dedicated to the public, the Cabinet Minister informed.

During the inspection of the construction work, he said that the drain passed through the heart of Lehragaga and people living along its banks faced pitiable conditions. In fact, many houses were built over the drain itself and were in a dilapidated state. Due to the surrounding filth, there was a constant risk of accidents. There had been a long-standing demand from the public for attention to be given to this issue.

Barinder Kumar Goyal informed that now two pipes, each 4.5 feet wide, have been installed in the drain to ensure smooth water flow. Initially, this was a Rs.15 crore project, but due to departmental integrity, it was tendered at Rs.12 crore, resulting in a saving of Rs.3 crore for the state's people.

He said that the project began about a month ago and is progressing rapidly toward completion. The 3-kilometer-long and 32-foot-wide drain is being paved with 15-foot-wide interlocking tiles. Grills will be installed along the sides, along with modern grass and plants. He said that the area, once avoided by everyone, is now being developed into a scenic walkway. To maintain it, three employees will be appointed, he added.

Local residents expressed that in the past 40 years, not a single rupee had been spent on this drain, nor had anyone come to inspect it. Now, however, people are coming here regularly for morning and evening walks.

The cabinet minister assured that rainwater will no longer be allowed to accumulate in slum areas and will be directed into the drain. He said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann's Punjab government is committed to the development of both villages and cities. He said that no effort will be spared in beautifying and developing the city.

SDM Lehragaga Suba Singh, Narinder Kumar Goyal, Advocate Gaurav Goyal, Tajinder Kumar Ghai, SDO Chetan Gupta, XEN Gurdeep Bansal, XEN Jagdeep Bhakhar, MC Kapil Tayal, MC Surinder Kumar Jaggi, Shishpal, President of Aggarwal Sabha Lehragaga, Nand Lal Nandu, Megh Raj, Deepak Jain, Sanjay Kumar (President, Hanuman Mandir Committee), Ram Sarup, Retired JE Malkit Singh were also present on this occasion.