A delay in the completion of the realignment and relining work of the Rajasthan Feeder Canal in Faridkot area has led to a complete closure of water supply to Rajasthan for nearly 45 days, triggering an acute drinking water and irrigation crisis in western Rajasthan.
The canal water, which was scheduled to be released on May 11 evening, is yet to resume as significant portions of the canal lining and flooring work remains incomplete. Officials in Rajasthan have been mounting pressure on the Punjab government to restore the water supply at the earliest.
Nearly 12 districts of western Rajasthan depend heavily on the Rajasthan Feeder Canal and the Indira Gandhi Canal system for drinking water and irrigation. The canal network, among India’s largest irrigation projects, carries Sutlej-Beas waters from the Harike Barrage in Ferozepur district deep into the Thar Desert region.
Vinod Mittal, former Chief Engineer of Rajasthan canals, said the prolonged closure has severely affected daily life in the desert districts. “People are being forced to consume nearly two-month-old stored water supplied in limited quantities only for drinking purposes. There is a looming threat of diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases,” he said.
Mittal added that the worst-hit are animals as they are facing severe water scarcity. “Livestock are dying of thirst due to the prolonged disruption in water supply,” he said.
Vivek Goyal, Chief Engineer, Canal Department, Bikaner, blamed the delay on Punjab authorities. “The work delay is the responsibility of the Punjab government. Rajasthan is suffering because of it. Though water release was scheduled for May 11, we were assured that it will start by May 12 evening,” he said.
However, an inspection of the canal work site in Faridkot on Tuesday evening indicated that completion may take more time as sidewall lining and flooring at several points were still unfinished.
Sandeep Goyal, superintending engineer of the canal in Punjab declined to give details and refused any comment about the delay in the completion of the work, saying the water will be released as soon as possible.
Punjab Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal has also reviewed the ongoing work and directed officials to expedite completion of this important project.
The minister said nearly 16.62 km of the remaining Rajasthan Feeder stretch is being relined at a cost of around Rs 170 crore during the current canal closure period.
He added that a 12.5-km stretch near Faridkot is being brick-lined instead of concrete-lined following demands from local residents and farmers to facilitate groundwater recharge and maintain ecological balance.
