Chandigarh, September 14, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Ajnala Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, accompanied by a delegation of sarpanches from his constituency, met Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil on Monday and urged the Centre to expedite the construction of a dam on the Ujh River in Jammu and Kashmir to protect Ajnala from recurring floods.
During the meeting, Dhaliwal highlighted the long-standing problems faced by residents of Ajnala due to the recurring overflow of the Ujh River. He said repeated flooding has caused extensive disruption and affected the lives, livelihoods and economic prospects of people in the border constituency.
“The continuous threat of floods has also affected the economic development of the region. No one is willing to establish industries in an area where there is a constant fear of floods and destruction. The people of Ajnala deserve permanent protection from this recurring crisis and a clear path towards sustainable development,” Dhaliwal said.
He said several generations of residents had suffered the consequences of flooding and called for effective management of the Ujh River to address the problem permanently.
According to Dhaliwal, the proposed Ujh Dam could help regulate water flowing towards Punjab and substantially reduce the recurring flood threat in Ajnala.
“The construction of the Ujh Dam will provide a permanent solution to the recurring flood threat to a large extent. Along with flood control, the project will generate electricity, provide canals for irrigation and create employment opportunities for the youth. This can become a major step towards the economic and social development of the border region,” he said.
Dhaliwal said he had previously raised the issue with the Governors of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir. He said the meeting with the Union Jal Shakti Minister was aimed at directly placing the demand before the Central Government and seeking early action on the long-pending project.
He urged the Centre to take the project forward at the earliest, saying a permanent solution to recurring floods was essential for protecting lives and livelihoods and promoting development in the border region.
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