Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh today said the long-pending Ujh Multipurpose Project, first proposed nearly a century ago, is set to bring transformative benefits to both Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir once revived.
Speaking during his visit to flood-affected villages in Sujanpur on the second day of his tour, Dr Jitendra Singh said the project would enable optimal utilisation of waters from the Eastern Rivers — Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej — allocated to India under the Indus Water Treaty. This, he added, would not only address chronic water shortages but also help curb cross-border infiltration.
“The Ujh project will provide irrigation to nearly 90,000 hectares of farmland across Gurdaspur and Pathankot in Punjab, as well as Samba and Kathua in Jammu & Kashmir,” Dr Jitendra Singh said. He disclosed that the Ministries of Defence and Home Affairs had also intervened in the matter from a security standpoint.
Highlighting the urgency, the Minister explained that the uncontrolled flow of water often damages agricultural land and even BSF establishments during floods, while simultaneously creating vulnerable points for infiltration. An inter-ministerial arrangement between the Ministries of Home and Water Resources has been set up to fast-track the construction of the dam.
Drawing a parallel, Dr Jitendra Singh recalled that the Shahpur Kandi dam on the Ravi river had remained stalled for decades until it was revived by the Modi government.
During his tour of Kailashpur, Pangoli, and other flood-hit villages in Sujanpur, Dr Singh interacted with victims and directed officials to ensure immediate rehabilitation and construct durable flood-resistant infrastructure. He assured affected families that adequate compensation would be provided for damage to homes and shops.
Deputy Commissioner Pathankot, Aditya Uppal, briefed the Minister about the extent of losses, informing that 250 houses had been severely or partially damaged, crops spread over nearly 7 acres destroyed, and about 1,500 people affected. He said over 700 people were rescued by the NDRF, Police, and Army. In Pangoli, around 200 residents were hit, with 25 houses of the SC community severely damaged and 6 acres of farmland washed away.
On Monday, Dr Singh had visited other affected areas including Polla, Kohlian, and villages along the Ravi river in Bamial, Chal, Amir, Simbal Sakol, Dhinda, and Bhupalpur.
He emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is personally monitoring the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts across Punjab’s 23 districts. “I am also closely reviewing the work being undertaken and receive regular updates from local authorities,” Dr Singh said.(KINS)
