CHANDIGARH, APRIL 27 — The Punjab government has approved a blueprint for the purchase of specialized amphibious equipment designed to prevent flooding by carrying out deep-water desilting. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, while chairing a meeting with senior officials and Cabinet ministers, affirmed that the move is part of a proactive strategy to minimize monsoon damage across the state’s agricultural belt.
The Chief Minister declared that the Water Resources department is working at full pace to complete the cleaning of drains and rivers. He stated that the new amphibious machines will be used for the upkeep of ponds and water bodies in addition to major flood protection works. Mann maintained that the state’s focus remains on high-risk zones, noting that infrastructure such as studs and spurs is currently being constructed in Ropar to prevent a recurrence of last year’s flooding.
The Chief Minister also addressed the upcoming paddy season, stating that the release of water from the Bhakra Dam must be carefully managed to accommodate irrigation needs while leaving sufficient reservoir space for monsoon inflows. He affirmed that the ongoing revival of watercourses would be finished by May 31, allowing for a more robust distribution of water for farmers.
“The works being carried out across the state to avert floods are in the larger public interest,” the Chief Minister asserted. He stated that the government is committed to using global best practices to protect the state’s infrastructure. In attendance at the review were Cabinet Ministers Harjot Singh Bains and Barinder Kumar Goel, who affirmed that the department is prepared to execute the new flood safety protocols effectively.
