Central team visits Kapurthala to assess water conservation steps

A two-member Central Government team visited Kapurthala district on June 17 as part of the Jal Shakti Abhiyan to assess the region’s water conservation initiatives.

The delegation, comprising Amit Verma, Director at NITI Aayog, and Brijesh Singh, Deputy Director of the Central Water Commission, began their visit with a meeting at the District Administrative Complex with Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Panchal.

During the interaction, the district administration presented a comprehensive overview of the measures being implemented to manage and conserve water, particularly rainwater. Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) Varinderpal Singh Bajwa informed the team about various efforts, including rainwater harvesting projects, restoration and construction of ponds using the Thapar Model, and the promotion of horticulture and drip irrigation for sustainable water use.

The central team then undertook a field visit to inspect ground-level projects. At village Nathoo Chahal, they examined an artificial recharge pond linked to the canal system. In village Masitan, they observed the use of the Thapar Model for agricultural irrigation. The visit continued to village Meere to see a drip irrigation setup and to Nirmal Kutia, where localized water conservation efforts are underway.

During the tour, Rajya Sabha MP and noted environmentalist Sant Baba Balbir Singh Seechewal met with the team and shared insights on the ongoing efforts to rejuvenate the sacred Kali Bein river and related water conservation initiatives in and around Seechewal village.

The team emphasised the importance of preparing for the upcoming monsoon season under the national campaign “Catch the Rain 2025”, urging the administration to ensure maximum capture and proper utilization of rainwater.

Officials shared that, ahead of the monsoon, nearly 600 village ponds across the district have already been cleaned and restored. Several new water bodies have also been developed following the Thapar Model, helping to meet local irrigation needs.

Jalandhar