Sangrur: Punjab minister Barinder Kumar Goyal, during governor Gulab Chand Kataria's visit to Makraud Sahib on Saturday, highlighted the potential flood threat arising from the restrictions on the widening of the Ghaggar river in Punjab - from Makraud Sahib to Karel - due to Haryana's petition in the Supreme Court and objections raised before the Ghaggar Standing Committee.Goyal appealed for an early resolution of the issue. The governor assured that a meeting of the chief ministers of Punjab and Haryana would be convened to resolve the Ghaggar problem, as both states were affected by the river's impact.Speaking to the mediapersons, Goyal said he had requested the governor's intervention so that Punjab was allowed to widen the river in its territory, while Haryana should channelise it in its area.He further said Rajasthan had already constructed large reservoirs to collect the river's water. The permanent solution to the problem will provide great relief to the people of both Punjab and Haryana, the minister added.Goyal further said for the first time in history, the Ghaggar river had been flowing above the danger mark for 12 consecutive days. However, owing to the strengthening of embankments by the Punjab govt in 2023, together with the support of the district administration and local residents, the river did not cause any damage in Sangrur district.He said the Punjab govt had left no stone unturned to prevent breaches in the embankments, and the river's water level was steadily receding. The level, which remained around 750.7 feet for the last 12 days, dropped to 749.4 feet on Saturday. By Sunday, it is expected to fall to the danger mark of 748 feet, and then continue to decline, said Goyal.The minister further said until the water level falls below the danger mark, embankment-strengthening work would continue. He appreciated the service of local residents working on-site and appealed to the people not to panic but to personally monitor the ongoing work along the river.MSID:: 123870290 413 |