NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal today called on Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil to discuss a critical issue concerning the River Ravi, which passes through the Ajnala region of Amritsar in Punjab and serves as an international boundary with Pakistan. He made a strong appeal for financial assistance to the Punjab Government to carry out essential works aimed at safeguarding agricultural land, protecting key security installations, and reducing the increasing threat of illegal activities along this sensitive border.
Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal highlighted that during heavy monsoon periods, the Ajnala region suffers extensive damage due to flooding. This not only results in the loss of fertile farmland but also causes significant harm to vital Army and BSF outposts. Such damage undermines both national security and the effectiveness of border patrol operations. He warned that the instability caused by floods also opens the door for increased drug smuggling in these border zones, posing a major risk to both Punjab and the nation.
Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal emphasized to the Union Minister that addressing these challenges urgently requires comprehensive flood management and the fortification of security infrastructure along the Ravi. Only through well-planned protective and preventive measures can the region’s vulnerabilities be effectively reduced.