CM Bhajan Lal Sharma and the Chief Minister of Punjab, Shri Bhagwant Mann had a detailed discussion on the progress of the Ferozepur Feeder Reconstruction Project over phone on Wednesday. In view of this, the important Ferozepur feeder reconstruction work for the farmers of Ganganagar area is likely to start soon.
CM Bhajan Lal Sharma said that an important decision has been taken to strengthen the Ganganhar system, the lifeline of the North-Western region of the State, especially Sriganganagar and Hanumangarh. The much awaited Ferozepur Feeder Reconstruction Project for farmers has been approved in the 158th Consultative Committee Meeting of Central Water Commission, New Delhi on 24th April, 2025. The total cost of the project is Rs. 647.62 crore. State of Punjab has been allocated Rs. 379.12 crore (58.54 per cent) and State of Rajasthan has been allocated Rs. 268.50 crore (41.46 per cent).
CM Bhajan Lal Sharma said that in-principle approval of financial provision of Rs. 268.50 crore for feeder reconstruction of Rajasthan has been received from Government of Punjab (Department of Water Resources), which will be examined and communicated to Government of Punjab after concurrence of Finance Department, Rajasthan. After this, the proposal will be sent to the central government for funding by the Punjab government.
Restoration work to be completed in 2 years
The Chief Minister said that after agreeing to the funding from the Central Government, the tender and other proceedings would be done in coordination with the Punjab Government. The State Government is committed to complete the reconstruction work within the next two years by commencing the same year.
Capacity will increase, farmers will get direct benefit –
With the reconstruction, the capacity of Ferozepur feeder will increase from the present 11,192 cusecs to 13,842 cusecs. With this, the excess water going to Pakistan in the monsoon can be conserved and used in the Ganganagar area only. Also, the project will ensure adequate water supply to 3.14 lakh hectare irrigated area of Ganganagar. This will increase crop productivity and strengthen the agro-based economy.
Chief Minister’s initiative
During his visit to Sriganganagar in April 2025, the people’s representatives and farmers had placed the issue of starting the reconstruction work before the Chief Minister Shri Sharma. On this, the Chief Minister urged the Jal Shakti Minister to speed up the works. As a result, the Central Water Commission also took prompt action and approved the project. It may be recalled that in the interest of farmers, the State Government has made a provision of Rs. 200 crore for Ferozepur feeder reconstruction in the budget of 2024-25.