He assured that the government is committed to meeting public expectations with honest intentions...
Punjab to Clean, Deepen, and Widen Rivers to Prevent Future Floods: Harpal Cheema Latest News: The Punjab Government is planning to put a "permanent" end to flooding after the state witnessed one of the worst floods in nearly four decades this year, which left many districts of the state devastated due to overflowing rivers.
According to a press release, Punjab’s Finance, Planning, Excise and Taxation Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on October 14 announced that the state government is resolute in its efforts to protect Punjab from floods permanently. Plans are in place to clean, deepen, and widen the Ravi and Sutlej rivers.
The release noted that Ravi and Sutlej rivers fall under the state’s jurisdiction, while permission has been sought from the Central Government to clean the Beas River, which is designated as a Ramsar site.
Speaking to reporters in Dirba, Minister Harpal Cheema highlighted the significant losses suffered by Punjab due to floods in 2023 and 2025, emphasizing that desilting the rivers is critical for long-term flood protection.
He stated that the state government has already identified 28 locations along the Beas River requiring urgent cleaning and urged the Central Government to provide maximum support for this initiative.
Additionally, Cheema strongly opposed the Central Government’s proposal to grant permanent membership to Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan in the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB), calling it an injustice to Punjab’s people, which he said would not be “tolerated.”
He affirmed that the Punjab Government would not allow other states to gain control over the BBMB.
Cheema Lays Foundation Stones and Inaugurates Development Projects in Dirba
On the same day, Cheema laid foundation stones and inaugurated development projects worth Rs. 11.46 crore in the Dirba Assembly constituency, the press release said.
These include a Rs. 2.5 crore canal water project in Chhajli village, connecting farmers’ fields to canal water via a 13-km pipeline, addressing issues of defunct tube wells due to the deepening water table.
The release added that work has begun on 17.35 km of roads costing Rs. 8.81 crore, including upgrading the 4-km Dhandial to Patran road to 18 feet wide and constructing new roads from Dhandial to Hariau (4.25 km), Dhandial to Shadihari (3.10 km), Dhandial to Chunagra (3 km), and Khetla to Kakuwala (3 km)
A dharamshala for the SC community in Maidewas village, built at Rs. 15 lakh, was also dedicated to the public.
Cheema, speaking at various events, reiterated that under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership, the Punjab Government has been working tirelessly for the state’s all-around development over the past three and a half years.
The minister emphasized efforts to strengthen healthcare, education, and infrastructure, noting that the previous governments’ alleged “flawed policies had hindered progress.”
He assured that the government is committed to meeting public expectations with honest intentions, ensuring no compromise on the quality of development projects. For the first time, contractors will maintain new rural roads for five years. Cheema urged residents to monitor the projects to ensure satisfactory completion, the press release added.
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