Punjab News: Punjab, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has launched a special campaign to protect the state from the recurring floods of the Ghaggar River. This initiative is a significant step towards safeguarding hundreds of villages in the Malwa region, particularly in the districts of Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali), Patiala, Sangrur, and Mansa, which have suffered extensive damage from the river’s floods every year.
For the first time, the width of the Ghaggar River’s banks is being increased by up to 15 feet. This effort began in earnest after the Mann government came to power in 2022, with a focused push over the past three years to fortify the river’s embankments.
Financial Investments in Flood Mitigation
Significant funds have been allocated to strengthen the riverbanks. In the Makarod Sahib area, ₹37 lakh and ₹48.2 lakh were spent in 2022 and 2023, respectively, on embankment reinforcement. Additionally, substantial sums have been spent on cleaning operations below Khanauri—₹62.11 lakh in 2022 and ₹37.18 lakh in 2023.
This year, a budget of ₹4.80 crore has been dedicated to increasing the riverbanks’ width to 15 feet, meeting the minimum design requirements for flood prevention. This kind of extensive work on the river’s banks has never been undertaken before.
Ongoing Efforts and Regional Impact
Apart from the widening and strengthening efforts, repair work is also being carried out around the Chandpur Bund, which, although located in Haryana, affects 24 districts in Punjab’s Mansa region during floods. This repair work, started last year, is ongoing, emphasizing the inter-state cooperation required to mitigate flood risks.
During last year’s floods, the issue was raised with the Haryana government when they temporarily halted the bund repair work. The continuous efforts to fortify the riverbanks and improve flood resilience are crucial steps towards reducing the annual damage caused by the Ghaggar River.
The Punjab government’s proactive approach is expected to significantly mitigate the flood risks and protect the livelihoods and properties of the residents in the affected regions.
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