BILLED as the state’s biggest irrigation project, the Punjab government has drawn up plans to pump in Rs 3,243.06 crore for the strengthening of major canal systems in the state. The project will also include flood control and anti water logging schemes. Work on major canal systems including the Kandi canal, rehabilitation of first Patiala Feeder and Kotla branch, the Bist Doab canal system, the Bathinda branch, the Sidhwan branch, the Abohar branch, a project of conversion of Banur canal from non-perennial to perennial and the lining of Ladhuka distributory system would involve an investment of Rs 1,043.93 crore, said officials. The government also has plans to spend Rs 308.50 crore on development of new minors/distributaries and widening and strengthening of existing minors/distributaries. Realising the requirement of field channels/khalas, the state government proposes to invest Rs 1,583.41 crore in the construction of the Upper Bari Doab canal system, the Kotla canal system, the eastern canal, the Abohar canal, the Sidhwan canal, the Sirhind feeder and the Bathinda branch, involving construction of 16,282 km of field channels. Another 9-10 projects have been lined up for flood control and anti water logging schemes for the three affected districts of Muktsar,Ferozepur and Faridkot.This will involve an investmernt of Rs 239.50 crore.The government also proposes to spend Rs 67.72 crore on minor irrigation schemes. Besides, the government also plans to install 100 deep tubewells in the Kandi area comprising Hoshiarpur,Ropar,Mohali, Gurdaspur and Nawanshahr distrircts. This will involve an investment of Rs 33 crore. A proposal to construct two low dams in Kandi area is also on cards involving an investment of Rs 35 crore. Punjab chief minister Prakash Singh Badal will launch this massive irrigation project at a function in Bathinda on December 8. This project, when complete, will help rejuvenate Punjab’s economy and lead to economic prosperity in the region