PATIALA: Punjab Government has announced the rejuvenation of 2 historical lakes – Rajindra and Sheesh Mahal with the water from Bhakra Canal. This effort is being made in order to replenish the depleting ground water levels in the state. The lakes would be given an ancient and heritage look under ‘Mission Tandrust Punjab’. The planned revival of the lake would attract exotic bird species and hence it could potentially serve as a tourist destination in the near future. Under the mission, ‘Project Hansli’ has been developed with a total budget of Rs 40 lakh. The ‘Hansli’, which is already feeding the sarovars (water bodies) of Gurudwara Shri Dukhniwaran Sahib and Gurudwara Shri Moti Bagh Sahib from the Bhakra Main line, is intended to extend supply for the historical lakes.
A separate regulatory gate has already been installed at the canal gateway on Nabha Road, which extends from the Bhakhra main line. “Following this gate, the capacity of water going to Hansli has been increased 2.5 cusecs. Water will reached the Rajindra lake through a regulatory gate installed on Hansli near the Railway Crossing no. 21, on renovating the already present pipeline, which receives the left over water after feeding the sarovars of the two Gurudwaras,” said Kumar Amit, Patiala DC. Another pipeline is also intended to be installed at the sarovar to divert water to the Sheesh Mahal Lake.