Ravneet Singh Bittu holds meeting with Union Jal Shakti Minister in Delhi

Ludhiana, August 23, 2019: With an aim to find a permanent solution to the problems related to around 14-kilometer stretch of Budha Nullah, Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu today held a meeting with Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at his office in Delhi today. Bittu sought the cooperation of the government of India for this project.

After the meeting, Ravneet Singh Bittu informed that the cleaning of Budha Nullah is one of his dream projects and he has also made this promise with the people of Ludhiana. He said that the Budha Nullah (earlier known as Budha Dariya) is an old tributary of river Satluj and once had more than 50 species of Fish but unfortunately it started losing its glory with the passage of time.

It is pertinent to mention that earlier on July 27, Ravneet Singh Bittu and Punjab Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu had held a meeting with Union Minister of Jal Shakti Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at his office in Delhi.

Bittu informed that this was his second meeting with the Union Minister in the last three months time. He stated that Shekhawat was apprised about the recent development related to overflowing of Budha Nullah in Ludhiana, which caused problems for the residents. He also apprised him about the current situation of the Dhussi Bandh of Sutlej river along the Ludhiana district.

He requested Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat to ensure that this project is handled on a priority basis as a proper plan needs to be worked out for implementation.

Ravneet Singh Bittu informed that Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has assured full cooperation and has offered maximum funds for this project. He informed that the Union Minister would be himself visiting the Budha Nullah in the first week of September along with a team of experts from Tata Sons, who have shown interest in the Rs 900 crore project related to cleaning of Budha Nullah.

He informed that the same company has cleaned a similar Nullah falling in the constituency of the Union Minister.

It is pertinent to mention that on February 21, a team of senior officials from Tata Group had shown interest in the cleaning and beautification of Budha Nullah and even gave a presentation in MC Zone D office, here, in this regard. This presentation was given in the presence of Ludhiana MP Ravneet Singh Bittu, Mayor Balkar Singh Sandhu, Senior Deputy Mayor Shyam Sunder Malhotra, MC Commissioner Kanwal Preet Kaur Brar, councillors Mamta Ashu, Jai Parkash, besides several others.

During the hour-long presentation, Manish Tripathi, Vice President, Tata Group, had stated that their company has been associated with several such projects including rejuvenation of Dravyavati River in Jaipur, besides upcoming project for cleaning and beautification of Badi Nadi and Chhoti Nadi in Patiala. The company officials claimed that they would not only ensure cleaning of the Budha Nullah, besides construction of embankments, construction of paths for cyclists and morning/evening walkers, beautification, tree plantation, developing green belts/parks along the Budha Nullah and re-use of the water for agriculture and horticulture purposes.