Department Of Water Resources, Punjab
Punjab, the name derived from the Persian words, Punj (five) and ab (water) was
a land of five rivers which formed part of Indus Basin till 1947. After partition
of the country, Indus water Treaty-1960 restricted India’s rights of usage to
only three Eastern rivers (Sutlej, Ravi and Beas), the three Western rivers (Indus,
Chenab and Jhelum) were earmarked for exclusive usage of Pakistan. Punjab does have
a very well developed and interlinked river system and widespread 14500 kms long
Canal Systems.
These Systems are more than a century old and it is difficult to even imagine today
to develop such a system of high level strength and utility. The estimated value
at the present price level of Water Resource Infrastructure in the State is more
than Rs.50,000.00 crore.Punjab Irrigation Department was set up in the year 1849
and has a number of milestones worth mentioning. Construction of upper Bari Doab
Canal from river Ravi at Madhopur, Sirhind Canal from river Sutlej at Ropar, Eastern
Canal & Bikaner Canal from river Sutlej at Hussainiwala headworks date back to pre-independence
era. Post independence period is still brighter when monumental multipurpose projects
like Bhakra Dam on river Sutlej, Pong Dam on river Beas, Beas Sullej Link Project
and Ranjit sagar Dam on river Ravi have been constructed in addition to construction
of Nangal Hydel Channel, Anandpur Sahib Hydel Channel, Bhakra Canal System, Mukerian
Hydel Channel,Shah Nehan Barrage, Harike Barrage etc.
Water is most essential natural resource next to the air, a basic human need and
the most important input for all human development activities and, perhaps, very
precious and scarce natural resource. Efforts need to be made to develop, plan,
conserve, utilize and manage this important resource, both surface and ground water,
in a judicious, equitable, sustainable and sound economic manner.
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