Restoration efforts for MB canal underway, DPR prepared: Govt

Jammu, Mar 24: The MB Canal, which had become non-functional due to frequent landslides and leakages, is now on track for potential restoration.
Responding to an un-starred question tabled by MLA Mian Mehar Ali in the Legislative Assembly, the government confirmed the canal is currently defunct, saying it is due to its alignment through a treacherous hilly terrain prone to hill mass movements.
Replying on behalf of the Jal Shakti Department, the Minister In-Charge said that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared for the improvement and extension of the MB Canal. The project is estimated to cost Rs 2198.52 lakh and aims to cover a Command Cultivable Area (CCA) of 524.28 hectares over a 10.05 km stretch.
To overcome the challenges posed by the slide-prone zone, the DPR proposes replacing the vulnerable section of the canal with a Mild Steel (MS) pipe instead of an open channel — a step expected to improve the canal’s resilience and prevent future disruptions. The proposed Cost-Benefit Ratio stands at 1.08:1, making it a viable project for inclusion in the NABARD project shelf.
The feasibility of using a piped channel throughout the alignment is also under examination as part of broader efforts to ensure the canal’s long-term functionality.