Dera Bassi to get 8 ponds in bid to replenish ground water

The administration will construct eight new 20-acre ponds to help replenish depleting underground water in the Dera Bassi subdivision.

Deputy Commissioner Aashika Jain on Wednesday reviewed the progress of activities undertaken by the water resources department (drainage-cum-mining and geology division) at the district administrative complex.

She directed the department officials to expedite the digging process in areas earkmarked for the ponds in Dera Bassi, Sarangpur, Handesra and Sarangpur (both along near Tangri Nadi), Antala Drain, Rjapur Khelan, Bahora along Ghaggar river, Bijanpur, and Rani Majra.

The recharge-cum-collection ponds will be prepared by constructing check dams to stop the spillage of floodwater, which will act as the replenishing agent while also reducing the risk of flooding.

To rid the choes and drains of waste water disposal, the departments concerned have also been asked to plug the leakage within a stipulated deadline. Around 46 such points have been identified in the district by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) and the drainage department. Notices have already been served upon the departments to take action on priority and submit their reports.

Similarly, to identify the drains falling under private land, 21 have been notified while the same number will be notified in the coming days to ensure the natural course of rainwater is not disrupted.

A total of 36 strengthening works across the choes, creeks, drains and Ghaggar River, Jhirmal Nadi, Tangri Nadi, Patiala Ki Rao, Jayanti Devi Ko Rao have been completed at an approximate cost of Rs 6.27 crore under non-plan, state disaster management fund and MGNREGA, in the district to protect the fields and population from floodwater.