It has been learnt that GGN College has even offered Rs 1 lakh to rehabilitate slum dwellers living along the canal.

Students and faculty will contribute, said authorities at the Gujranwala Guru Nanak Institute of Management and Technology (GGNIMT).

“I plan to approach more colleges in the coming days. Karsewa is to start in February when the Sidhwan Canal will not have any water,” said Gurbax Singh.

Meanwhile, Baba Seechewal, who had cleaned the 160-kilometre kalibein, has also offered to clean the Sidhwan Canal. He will be coming to Ludhiana on January 6 to discuss the details of the project, said sources.

“According to my survey, there are around 360 jhuggis along the 15-kilometre canal within MC limits. According to suggestions given by GGN authorities, slum-dwellers should not be displaced but should be given pucca houses somewhere else. So we will ask the government for land to rehabilitate these people. Construction will be funded by voluntary donations,” he said.

Gurbax Singh said he had also written to Secretary, Irrigation department, who has assured him help from the employees.