Punjab strengthens flood protection along Beas, Sutlej; Rs 49 crore works undertaken
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, August 10, 2026: The Punjab government has undertaken extensive flood protection and river erosion control works along vulnerable stretches of the Beas and Sutlej rivers, with the aim of protecting villages, agricultural land and residents in flood-prone areas, Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal informed the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on Monday.
Replying to Calling Attention Notices raised by MLAs Rana Inder Partap Singh and Rajneesh Kumar Dahiya, Goyal said the Water Resources Department had conducted detailed surveys and technical inspections to identify vulnerable locations and prioritise flood protection measures.
₹32.09 Crore Beas Protection Works
Along the Beas, between Beas Bridge on Amritsar Road and Harike Pattan, the government has undertaken flood protection works worth ₹32.09 crore through state funds. Of these, 12 works have been completed, while one is currently under execution.
The works include construction of studs, revetments and spurs to check river erosion at vulnerable locations. Flood mitigation works along the Beas and the West Bein have also been completed.
The department has also completed the strengthening of Advance Bandh No. 2 and Sujjo Kalia Advance Bandh, which were damaged during the 2025 floods. Other completed works include strengthening of flood protection structures upstream of Dhilwan, raising and strengthening the Goindwal Embankment, strengthening the Verowal and Guide Embankments and providing revetment at Gharhka on both banks of the Beas.
A 360-foot-long revetment at Marrar on the right bank of the Beas is currently under construction.
Apart from state-funded projects, the department has executed flood protection and river erosion control works worth ₹11.98 crore under MGNREGA near Ahli Kalan, Ahli Khurd, Safdarpur-Khijrpur and Gharhka.
Goyal said that no breach has occurred in any flood protection embankment along this stretch of the Beas during the past five flood seasons.
₹5 Crore Spent on Sutlej Protection in Mamdot
Responding to concerns regarding flood protection structures along the Sutlej in Sub-Tehsil Mamdot, Goyal said the department had undertaken a detailed assessment of vulnerable areas.
He said that during previous floods, high water levels and submergence had damaged two spurs and eight studs along the berm near Dona Telu Mall. However, the main Flood Protection Bundh remained intact.
As part of the 2026-27 Flood Preparedness Programme, the department has already constructed one new spur, 700 feet of geo-bag revetment and five studs at Gandhu Kilcha Hithar along the Sutlej.
Approximately ₹5 crore has been spent on these works, which the minister said had significantly strengthened flood protection infrastructure and improved the safety of nearby villages and agricultural land.
The department has also submitted a Detailed Project Report (DPR) to the Government of India under the Flood Management Programme for the repair and reconstruction of damaged structures. Approval from the Centre is awaited.
Goyal said the government was continuing to identify and address vulnerable locations through technical assessments and field inspections, with preventive flood protection measures being prioritised to safeguard lives, property and agricultural land from flooding and river erosion.