Swan River, " The Tributary of Satluj , Rising from Southern slopes of Shivalik range, also Known as Solahsinghi Hills district Una Himachal Pradesh. "

The Swan river rises from the Southern slopes of Shivalik range which is called as Solahsinghi Dhar. The swan confluence with Satluj near the gorge across the Shivalik Hills near the boundary of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. The slopes of catchment area vary from gentle to steep. 

           View of the Swan river District Una

The total length of Swan river is about 80 Km out of which about 65 Km flows in Himachal Pradesh the remaining part flows in Punjab.The catchment area of this river is about 1400 square Kilometre out of which about 1200 square Km falls in district Una Himachal Pradesh and remaining 200 sq. Km falls in adjoining state Punjab where it joins river Satluj. There are 73 small streams in it's catchment which provide water to Swan river. Swan river  is also a feeding place for Migratory birds. 

      View of Swan river with Migratory birds

  

Some time ago before year 2009 the Swan was called the "the river of sorrows" in district Una because during Monsoons the heavy floods of Swan used to wash away the cultivated land, live -stock and even houses located near the banks of river as the Swan was horrible and uncontrolled with meandering floods

But now with the efforts of Government of India and Government of Himachal Pradesh the previous sorrow river has been converted to "river of boon " by channelisation of the river. 

The first phase of swan channelisation was completed during the year 2009 . Total length covered in this phase is 16.67 Km between Jhalera bridge to Santokhgarg  , reclaiming 2260 hectares of cultivated land. The total expenditure on this phase is 106.03 crores. 

The second phase considered was Gagret bridge to Jhalera bridge covering a length of 28.34 km with an expenditure of 235.52 crores by Central Water Commission and state Government of Himachal Pradesh in the ratio of 90 % , 10 % respectively. The 2nd phase also  complete. 

The Government of Himachal Pradesh has now proposed to complete the remaining portion in third phase from Santokhgarg bridge to Punjab boundary with an estimated budget amounting to Rs. 48.59 crores. 

       View of Bridge over Swan  near Haroli

Media personals specially The Tribune and Amar Ujala keep close look on the activities on swan river which appreciable for bringing the facts to the public as well as Government. About 10000 hect. of land has been effected by floods, much of that has been reclaimed. 

   

                               By :- Er. R C Verma