Punjab govt approves Rs 1.61 Cr micro-level water study with IIT Ropar to analyze subsoil water and seepage, boosting sustainable farming and policy planning.
In a notable advancement in tackling Punjab’s water challenges, Punjab govt Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced the provisional approval for a Rs 1.61 crore micro-level study on water resources and seepage patterns. The study, to be carried out by the Punjab State Farmers’ and Farm Workers’ Commission (PSFFWC) in partnership with IIT Ropar, will facilitate the development of effective strategies for managing the state’s subsoil water levels.
Emphasizing the significance of this initiative, Cheema stated that, as an agrarian state, Punjab encounters substantial challenges related to water availability and its sustainable management. He emphasized that this initiative signifies a vital step in the resurgence of the state’s agricultural era. The initial macro-level study, carried out by the PSFFWC in partnership with the National Institute of Hydrology (NIH), Roorkee, was formally recognized by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha Committee on Agriculture Reforms. Subsequently, the Committee determined that a more comprehensive micro-level analysis was necessary, he added.
Expanding on the scientific rigor of the investigation, Cheema stated that the micro-level study will utilize sophisticated methods, such as Carbon Dating and isotope analysis of sub-soil and repository water, along with a thorough examination of seepage patterns throughout the state. The objectives of the study include a comprehensive profiling of all available water resources, detailed characterization of aquifers to support policy formulation, execution of heliborne surveys, investigation of alternative water sources, and micro-level analyses to assess seepage rates.
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Providing details regarding the financial allocation for the research, Cheema stated that the project will be financed with a total expenditure of Rs 221.65 lakh. Of this total, IIT Ropar will allocate Rs 60.00 lakh from its own funds, resulting in a remaining requirement of Rs 161.00 lakh for the Punjab State Farmers’ and Farm Workers’ Commission. In consideration of the funding, IIT Ropar will offer comprehensive technical support, encompassing design and implementation expertise, field investigations, sample collection, deployment of portable instruments, infrastructure and laboratory facilities, as well as technical training and capacity-building programs.
The research consists of five comprehensive phases, planned to be completed within 12 months of securing the necessary funding. Phase 1 will perform a field survey to identify sampling locations. Phase 2 will establish a hydrogeological framework of the state’s aquifer systems. Phase 3 will entail hydrochemical characterization and isotopic analysis to evaluate contamination levels and pinpoint source regions. Phase 4 will determine areas suitable for canal network expansion. Phase 5 will present recommendations for management strategies.
The Finance Minister stated that the partnership with IIT Ropar exemplifies the state government’s dedication to science-based policy development. He stated that the Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to identifying sustainable and long-term solutions to support the cultivators of the state.