Ferozepur, Feb. 26 -- Chief minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday inaugurated the first phase of the reconstruction and relining of the Ferozepur Feeder Canal at Makhu, terming it a major step towards strengthening irrigation in the Malwa region. Built at a cost of Rs.180 crore, the project has increased the canal's carrying capacity by 2,681 cusecs - from 11,192 cusecs to 13,873 cusecs - strengthening irrigation supply to Ferozepur, Faridkot, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Fazilka districts. The relining is expected to provide assured canal water to about 6.45 lakh hectares, including border areas along the India-Pakistan frontier. Calling the Ferozepur feeder the lifeline of Malwa, the chief minister said the project would ensure deeper and more reliable water reach into agricultural fields, ending decades of dependence on rotational canal supply during the kharif season. He said the canal, constructed in 1952, had not seen any major capacity enhancement or concrete lining for more than seven decades. Officials said 14 blocks, including Gidderbaha, Makhu, Mamdot, Balluana, Jalalabad, Guru Har Sahai, Arniwala, Khuiyan Sarwar, Lambi, Malout, Fazilka, Muktsar and Ferozepur, will directly benefit from the upgraded feeder. Mann while addressing gathering at Makhu, situated about 50km away from Ferozepur, the said that relining would also address long-standing water quality issues in border villages, where polluted water earlier re-entered Punjab through the Sutlej after being discharged downstream. A total of 2,577 personnel and officers from various cadres of Punjab Police participated in the passing out parade at Punjab Armed Police (PAP) headquarters in Jalandhar on Wednesday. On the occasion, CM Mann highlighted that over 12,010 police personnel have been appointed since March 2022 and Rs.1,100 crore has been earmarked to upgrade the force on scientific lines, and cutting-edge measures including AI integration, specialised technical units and a strengthened Anti-Narcotics Task Force are being deployed to combat cybercrime, terrorism and drugs. He said the recruitment process for 3,400 personnel in 2026 will commence shortly. Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav along with top officials were also present on the occasion....