Chetan Singh Jouramajra inaugurates two projects for utilizing treated water of STPs for irrigation at Talwandi Bhai and Zira

Ferozepur: Punjab Water Resources and Soil & Water Conservation Minister S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra, on Tuesday, inaugurated two treated water-based irrigation projects from Sewerage Treatment Plants of Talwandi Bhai and Zira of 4 and 8 MLD capacity, respectively. Both the projects will provide irrigation water to 556 hectares of about 360 farmer households.

Addressing the gathering, S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra reiterated Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government’s commitment to provide every possible assistance to state’s farming community and that providing irrigation water at farmers’ fields is on top of that priority list. Recalling the recent drive to restore canal water-based field channels wherein over 14000 field channels have been restored to supply canal water to agricultural fields, the Cabinet Minister informed that promoting surface water based irrigation facilities to reduce dependence on ground water have received major thrust since last 2 years of government formation. He further stated that treated water use for irrigation is also a step in maximizing surface water use as this water, which would have otherwise gone waste into the drains, is now being utilized in agriculture.

The cabinet minister informed that till date 60 treated water use irrigation project from as many STPs utilizing 340 MLD treated water have been commissioned in the state benefiting approximately 11000 hectares of agricultural land and because of government’s keen focus on the programme, the treated water use will be scaled upto 600 MLD by the next crop season only, which will benefit more than 25000 hectares of agricultural land.

S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra informed that the state of Punjab is first in the country to initiate treated water use in an organized manner and that other states have been following suit.

Addressing the farming community who are beneficiaries of these projects, the Water Resources Minister called upon utilizing every drop of water judiciously and adopt improved and efficient irrigation techniques as agriculture is major consumer of water resource and state is already facing a grim situation.

Replying to a question of the media, S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra informed that government is committed towards water conservation and has recently signed an MoU with a big industry of the state, which is first ever such agreement with a private entity, who will contribute and invest in water conservation sector of the state.

The Cabinet Minister while briefing about the projects said that underground pipeline of 4.5 kms has been laid at Talwandi Bhai, whereas pipeline of 10.3 km length has been laid at Zira at a cost of Rs.1.41 Crores and Rs.3.04 crores, respectively. These projects will benefit 556 hectares of agriculture land and farming community of five villages namely; Haraj, Talwandi Bhai, New Zira, Gadri Wala and Botiyan Wala.

Speaking on the occasion, S. Mohinder Singh Saini, Chief Conservator of Soils, Punjab informed that treated water use project is flagship programme of the department. He said that department has now prepared a DPR of treated water use from 87 STPs under AMRUT.2 programme, which will be initiated during coming months. It is worthwhile to mention here that department has also won prestigious National Water Mission Award for use of treated water in agriculture from STP Phagwara. The Chief Conservator urged the farmers to maximize use of treated water as it reduces input cost of farmers as this water is rich in mineral content which reduces fertilizer and other input use but at same time also increases productivity and production, thereby increasing farmer income and at same time conserving precious water resource of the state.

Farming community of beneficiary villages present on the occasion lauded the efforts of state government for bringing this project to the area.

The Cabinet Minister was accompanied by Mr. Rajneesh Dahiya, MLA Ferozepur Rural, Mr. Naresh Kataria, MLA Zira, Mr. Ranbir Singh Bhullar, MLA Ferozepur City, Mr. Chand Singh Gill, Chairman, District Planning Committee along with officials of Soil and Water Conservation besides district administration.