MLA roots for Sukhna-type lake in New Chandigarh

Our Correspondent

Kharar, October 6

Kharar MLA Kanwar Sandhu has suggested creation of a new lake, on the pattern of Sukhna Lake, in New Chandigarh, to save the upcoming township from being swept away during heavy rain.

In a letter to Punjab Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Sandhu has drawn his attention to the notice taken recently by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to a builder having blocked the natural flow of Siswan River to raise a series of multiplexes in New Chandigarh. This followed a petition by two brothers of Bharonjian village— Manjinder Singh and Harjinder Singh. The Punjab Government has been asked to reply within a month. The two had cited images taken from the Google earth to show the natural drains in the area over which construction is being undertaken.

The Kharar MLA has mentioned that all seasonal rivulets to the north of the new township, including the Siswan River, should be earmarked as per the revenue records and satellite images. All encroachments on them should be removed and heavy embankments should be constructed on both sides of these rivulets. Besides the seasonal river of Siswan, the area has about one dozen ‘choes’ (smaller rivulets) falling between Siswan and Jayanti Majri habitations.

For example, at certain places, Siswan River needs to have a width of 50-100 metres for the rainwater to flow uninterrupted. This must be taken up on a war footing before encroachments block the age-old rainwater streams, which could spell an environmental disaster in the coming years.

He has suggested reconstruction of some of the bridges on the two major highways in the area. During recent rains, two major bridges on Boothgarh-Togan Highway and one on Mullanpur-Siswan Highway proved to be ineffective due to their faulty design. Besides, within the upcoming Omaxe Township in Bharonjian, the villagers broke the blockades constructed on internal roads by the builder at two places to allow rainwater to pass through and not inundate their houses and fields in the village.

Keeping in view the need to check the flow of Siswan River towards New Chandigarh, the Kharar MLA has suggested a new lake of about 1 sq km towards the north of the Mullanpur-Siswan Highway.

Probable site for lake

The area around the old bridge on Siswan River downstream of Parol village and near Hoshiarpur village has been mooted over as the probable site for the creation of the lake. The proposed Lake would act as a barrier to check the free flow of Siswan River during rains. Besides, water from the nearby “choes” and overflowing check dams could be diverted to the proposed Lake.