The Planning Commission on Thursday cleared the investment proposal for modernisation of Haryana’s irrigation network. The project, estimated to cost Rs 115.94 crore (2011 price level), will undertake rehabilitation, renovation and modernisation of critically damaged channels of the State’s irrigation network, a Plan panel release said.

Dharamsala: After getting a share of 7.19 per cent in power generated by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) on account of areas of Punjab merged with Himachal, the state will now also claim its share in water. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said this while talking to The Tribune here today.

He said Himachal had been claiming its share of 7.19 per cent in all assets of the BBMB though the court had at present just awarded it a share in power.

There is urgent need for publicly known norms of transparency and accountability in operation of reservoirs that are like time bombs that can explode multiple times. Bhakra exploded in 1988, Ukai in Gujarat did in Aug 2006, Hirakud did in Sep 2008, Srisailam, Tungabhadra, Upper Krishna and Damodar dams did in Sep 2009. The wrong operation of Bhakra, Pong and Tehri reservoirs in 2010 lead to avoidable floods in the downstream areas.

This year, the Pong dam has seen the highest ever inflow of water in the month of August, recorded in the last 30 years. Besides, the water level has also risen to 12 feet in just two days — it had happened for the first time in the history of the dam. The inflow was the result of heavy rainfall in the catchment area of the reservoir, said authorities.

Hussainiwala : Hundreds of cusecs of water are being pushed to Pakistan from this barrage, located at a few yards from the Radcliffe Line demarcating the Indo-Pak border, by the state Irrigation and Drainage Department authorities to maintain the level of the Hussainiwala pond.

Official sources said that about 1,800 cusecs of water were released to Pakistan today by the authorities despite the

Deputy Commissioner Ritesh Chauhan has passed an order asking all original Bhakra Dam oustees and their successors to file applications on a prescribed form, giving details of the government land encroached upon by them in Bilaspur by June 20.

This has been necessitated due to the High Court order of October 19, which has asked the state government to come to the court with a

Jalandhar: There is good news for farmers of Punjab and also adjoining states. The level of water in the Gobind Sagar reservoir at the Bhakra Dam and the Pong Dam is much higher this year compared to the corresponding period last year.

This will not only ensure uninterrupted supply of water for irrigation, but also adequate power.

State needs 3,500 crore for the programme
In what will be a major boost to Punjab and its canal irrigation system that provides water to millions of farmers, the Centre may agree to pump in crores of rupees to upgrade the canals.

It is working to amend rules of the existing schemes to allow the state to get grants for the upgrade and relining of the canals.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has asked the Central government to clarify as to why it has

Against 220 lakh hydel units in mid-Dec, Punjab is now getting only 160 LU a day
Falling mercury levels in the north have hit electricity generation hard at the region

Pages