BARINDER GOYAL REVIEWS FLOOD PROTECTION ARRANGEMENTS AT RAVI RIVER EMBANKMENT NEAR BOP SHAHPUR
April 28, 2026 - PatialaPolitics
BARINDER GOYAL REVIEWS FLOOD PROTECTION ARRANGEMENTS AT RAVI RIVER EMBANKMENT NEAR BOP SHAHPUR
*MANN GOVT SPENDING RS.600 CRORE ON FLOOD PREVENTION MEASURES: WATER RESOURCES MINISTER*
*STATE TO PROCURE ADVANCED AMPHIBIOUS MACHINES TO STRENGTHEN PRE-MONSOON FLOOD PREPAREDNESS: CABINET MINISTER*
*MLA DHALIWAL THANKS FOR TIMELY FLOOD PROTECTION WORKS*
*Chandigarh/Amritsar, April 28:*
Punjab Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Goyal today reviewed the ongoing flood protection arrangements at the Dhussi embankment of the Ravi river near BOP Shahpur in district Amritsar. He was accompanied by MLA Ajnala S. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and Superintending Engineer Mr. Jagdish Raj, Executive Engineer Mr. Vishwapal Goyal and Sub-Divisional Officer S. Satnam Singh from the Water Resources Department.
Notably, the Dhussi embankment of the Ravi river near BOP Shahpur had suffered a breach during last year’s floods. After plugging the breach, the Water Resources Department is now reinforcing the embankment with stone pitching and an amount of Rs.4 crore is being spent on flood protection works at this site.
Speaking to the media, Sh. Barinder Goyal said that the Punjab Government is actively working to minimise damage caused by floods or heavy rains during the monsoon season and to safeguard lives and property. He informed that Rs.600 crore is being spent on flood prevention measures.
He further informed that after last year’s floods, the department constituted committees led by two Superintending Engineers for each of the four rivers. These committees identified 132 vulnerable points, where flood protection works are currently underway. Some works have already been completed while the remaining will be finished by June 30, 2026, he added.
The Cabinet Minister said that during the previous monsoon season, 23 breaches had occurred in the Dhussi embankment of the Ravi river. These have now been plugged and strengthened with stone pitching. In addition, desilting work in the river is being carried out on a war footing and will be completed before the monsoon season. Cleaning of the Sakki Nullah is also in progress along with other seasonal drains.
Sh. Goyal further stated that Chief Minister S Bhagwant Singh Mann led government is procuring advanced amphibious machines from Finland to strengthen flood prevention, relief infrastructure and cleaning of canals and drains. These machines are capable of operating both in water and on land and can perform deep desilting even in flowing water making them highly effective for preventive measures and emergency response. He said that these multi-purpose machines will play a crucial role in flood management and relief operations.
MLA Ajnala S. Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal thanked Water Resources Minister, saying that under his leadership the department is ensuring timely completion of flood protection works. He said that several villages in the Ajnala constituency had suffered during last year’s floods and the state government had extended full support to the affected people. He reiterated that all flood protection measures are being completed before the monsoon, adding that the Punjab Government is committed to safeguarding lives and property.