Chandigarh, August 20, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Ajnala Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Thursday met Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and urged him to pursue the construction of a dam on the Ujh River as a permanent solution to recurring floods in Punjab’s border districts.
Dhaliwal submitted a memorandum to Sinha seeking intervention to address the severe monsoon flooding affecting Ajnala and adjoining areas of Amritsar, Gurdaspur and Pathankot.
After the meeting, Dhaliwal said the downstream location of Ajnala and surrounding areas makes them particularly vulnerable when the Ujh River’s water level rises sharply following heavy rainfall.
He cited major flood events since 1988, including those in 2023, 2025 and 2026, and said the recurring floods have submerged agricultural land, damaged crops and affected roads, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure.
Dhaliwal also raised concerns over the impact of flooding on connectivity routes used by BSF and Army personnel deployed along the international border. He described disruption to these routes as a matter of concern from the national security perspective.
According to the Ajnala MLA, the Punjab government spends substantial amounts every year on emergency flood relief, strengthening embankments and improving drainage systems. However, he said these measures provide only temporary relief and do not address the underlying cause of recurring flooding.
Dhaliwal argued that construction of a dam on the Ujh River, along with proper water management, would provide a long-term solution by regulating the river’s flow and storing excess monsoon water.
He appealed to the J&K Lieutenant Governor to take up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Jal Shakti Minister. He also sought preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and a feasibility study to identify a technically suitable location for the proposed dam.
Beyond flood management, Dhaliwal said the project could contribute to hydroelectric power generation, promote tourism and support economic activity in the region.
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