Ludhiana (Gurpreet Singh): With memories of last year’s devastating floods still fresh, Punjab has turned to advanced engineering to strengthen flood defences along the Sutlej River. A geo-tube embankment is being developed in Ludhiana’s Sasrali region, marking the state’s first use of the technology for riverbank protection.
The project is being implemented after a stretch of the existing embankment was breached during the 2025 monsoon, exposing nearby villages to floodwaters. Engineers concluded that rebuilding the damaged section using conventional soil-based methods would not be effective because the river had shifted its alignment.
Construction teams have been working continuously for the past several weeks to complete the new protective structure before the monsoon intensifies. Officials say the project is designed to provide a long-term solution against erosion caused by the powerful flow of the Sutlej.
The embankment is being built using large geo-textile tubes packed with sand. Once filled, the tubes are arranged in layers and covered with earth to create a wide, elevated barrier capable of resisting strong water currents. Experts associated with the project say the flexible design allows the structure to settle naturally without developing cracks, making it more resilient than traditional embankments.
Authorities also claim the new barrier has been built taller than the flood level recorded last year and is expected to remain effective for decades with regular maintenance.
The initiative is part of Punjab’s broader flood preparedness programme, under which vulnerable locations along major rivers are being reinforced before peak monsoon flows. Officials believe the adoption of modern technologies will reduce the likelihood of breaches that have repeatedly threatened riverside settlements.
However, residents of Sasrali and neighbouring villages say one important component of the flood protection plan is still pending. While they appreciate the progress made so far, they argue that stone pitching along the river-facing side of the embankment should be completed without delay.
According to villagers, the stone layer would provide additional protection against direct water impact and help minimise erosion around the newly constructed embankment. They fear that if heavy rainfall causes river levels to rise rapidly, the unfinished section could become vulnerable.
Local community members have appealed to the authorities to complete the remaining work before the monsoon reaches its peak. They say the new embankment has raised hopes of better flood protection, but its effectiveness will ultimately depend on whether all planned safety measures are implemented in time.
