GNDU submits SIA-Arniala Dam study report to state govt
Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) Vice-Chancellor Prof Karamjeet Singh has handed over the SIA-Arniala Dam Study Report to state government officials — Executive Engineer Vikas Soman and Water Resources Department (Hoshiarpur) SDO Rupinder Pal Singh.
The Vice-Chancellor said the university remains committed to contributing to sustainable development and meaningful social research. “The SIA report not only addresses the quantitative aspects of the proposed Arniala Dam project, but also delves deeply into the qualitative social dimensions that are increasingly relevant in today’s 21st century world,” he said.
The Social Impact Assessment Agency, Guru Nanak Dev University, under Prof Rajesh Kumar, Principal Project Coordinator, and a team of six subject experts completed the SIA study report for land acquisition for the construction of Arniala Dam in Hoshiarpur district, allocated by the Water Resources Department, Government of Punjab. The project is being executed under Section 4.1 of the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (herein after the RFCTLARR Act, 2013).
As per information provided by Water Resources Department officials, the entire project involves an expenditure of Rs 91.47 crore for the construction of the dam and will go a long way in increasing the availability of free flow of water to irrigate land in four villages: Arniala Shahpur, Baroti, Bassi Maroof Siala and Bassi Maroof Hussainpur in Hoshiarpur.
The SIA study found that the dam project holds quite a prominent place in the overall development of the area as 96.2 per cent of the villagers were of the opinion that the project would be beneficial for the people of the Doaba region. “Given the consent of a majority of the people during the gram sabha meeting held at Arniala Shahpur and Baroti villages on June 10, the “Public Purpose” clause under RFCTLARR Act 2013 stood validated,” said the VC.
The purpose behind the state government’s decision to construct the dam in Hoshiarpur is to get an increased food grain yield, which will further ensure food security in the region, besides giving a boost to socio-economic development of the region. The construction of the dam will augment rural as well as urban infrastructure in a positive manner.
The report also states that on the whole, the project assumes immense importance as it has a role in reducing the dependence of people on electric motor-run water pumps for extracting underground water for irrigation purposes, thereby reducing depletion of underground water over a period of time. The project seems to carry the potential of making a favourable impact on the socio-economic landscape of the entire Doaba region. Hereafter, the SIA-Arniala Dam Study Report will be evaluated by the Higher Power Committee set up by the Government of Punjab.
Prof Rajesh Kumar, SIA Principal Project Coordinator, recognised the efforts of Professor Manpreet Singh Bhatti, Associate Professor Dr Bimaldeep Singh, Assistant Professors Dr Neena Rosy Kahlon, Dr Swati Mehta and Sharanpreet Kaur and all data analysts and field investigators for their crucial role in getting the SIA mission accomplished.
Amritsar