North News
Sri Anandpur Sahib/Chandigarh, November 30
Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains has inaugurated the state’s largest lift irrigation scheme to address water scarcity in the semi-mountainous Changar region under the Sri Anandpur Sahib Assembly Constituency. The Rs 90-crore project, launched in Samlah village, aims to bring canal water to irrigate approximately 3,300 acres of farmland.
Speaking to a large gathering, Bains shared his commitment to resolving the region’s long-standing water issues, recalling his early aspirations to bring relief to Changar’s villages. He highlighted the extensive approval process, which involved clearances from 23 departments and the union government, delaying the project for over 18 months.
The scheme, powered by 10 pump sets, promises to be operational within six months, offering a lifeline to farmers who have struggled with irrigation challenges for decades. Water scarcity has previously forced residents to abandon their homes and fields during summers, resulting in crop losses due to stray animals.
In addition to irrigation, Bains unveiled plans for a Rs. 300-crore project to provide clean drinking water and further irrigation infrastructure, with discussions underway with the World Bank for funding. He also cited local development milestones, including reactivating four deep tube wells, installing two new ones, and building a Primary Health Center in Kiratpur Sahib with a Rs. 2.5-crore investment.
Bains emphasized transforming the Changar region into a tourism hub, leveraging its scenic location near Himachal Pradesh. Plans include road widening, developing areas around Sri Anandpur Sahib and Mata Naina Devi mountains, and completing infrastructure upgrades within two years.
Families donating land for the project were honored during the event, underscoring the community’s role in achieving this milestone.
