In a landmark initiative aimed at reviving rural Punjab, the Bhagwant Mann-led government has embarked on the largest-ever mission to clean and rejuvenate village ponds across the state. Rural Development and Panchayats Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond, while addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, announced that this campaign marks the first time in the state’s history that such a vast and coordinated effort has been undertaken to address decades of neglect.
Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and with the strategic direction of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab has set an ambitious target of cleaning nearly 15,000 village ponds within this year alone. Many of these ponds, the minister noted, had been ignored by successive governments for 15 to 25 years. They had turned into stagnant pools of filth, emitting foul odors and becoming breeding grounds for mosquitoes, thus posing serious health risks to nearby residents.
For far too long, rural communities have borne the brunt of administrative apathy, as essential amenities like clean water bodies were left to deteriorate. Now, the current government has taken it upon itself to reverse this decay. Already, approximately 1,100 ponds have been dewatered, and nearly 400 have undergone desilting operations. Depending on the unique conditions of each pond, a combination of desilting and re-silting processes is being implemented to restore their original ecological balance.
Minister Sond recently conducted field inspections across villages in the Fatehgarh Sahib district to personally monitor the progress of the pond restoration project. These visits, he confirmed, will continue across other districts to ensure that the rejuvenation efforts remain on track and are executed with the required intensity. The initiative goes beyond mere cleanup—it seeks to reimagine village ponds as vital components of the rural ecosystem and economic infrastructure.
Beyond addressing sanitation and health concerns, the rejuvenation of ponds is being seen as a strategic move to help recharge the rapidly depleting groundwater levels in Punjab. With the monsoon season approaching, the government is intensifying efforts to complete desilting and re-silting before the rains arrive, so that these restored ponds can effectively capture rainwater and contribute to groundwater replenishment.
To support this massive effort, the Punjab government has allocated a substantial budget of ₹4,573 crore dedicated to the holistic development of rural areas. This financial commitment underscores the administration’s broader vision of building a “Rangla Punjab,” where rural infrastructure matches the aspirations of modern living.
Alongside pond rejuvenation, the state is also focusing on sustainable wastewater management through the establishment of sewage treatment facilities in villages. Plans are in place for the development and maintenance of village playgrounds and other infrastructure essential to rural life and community well-being.
Minister Sond emphasized that ponds are not just water bodies—they are an integral part of village economies and daily life. Their proper upkeep contributes directly to the well-being, hygiene, and economic sustenance of rural populations. This initiative, he asserted, is not just about cleaning ponds; it is about restoring pride and prosperity to Punjab’s villages.
With political will, administrative determination, and community participation, the Punjab government is turning a long-neglected rural challenge into an opportunity for regeneration. The ongoing mass pond-cleaning campaign is not just an environmental intervention—it is a powerful statement of intent to elevate rural Punjab and reclaim its vibrancy.
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