Chandigarh, March 18: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced on Wednesday that the government has successfully increased canal irrigation in the state. Over the past four years, the administration has extracted 10,000 cusecs of water from seasonal rivers and revived the deteriorating canal network to ensure a water supply equivalent to the Bhakra Canal for agricultural fields.
CM Mann stated that the coverage of canal irrigation has surged from 26.5% in 2022 to an impressive 78%. This includes the reopening of long-dormant canals, such as the 22-kilometer-long Sarhali Canal. The government has ensured a continuous water supply through the Ferozepur-Sirhind feeder, reaching 1,446 villages for the first time since independence.
During a media briefing, CM Mann detailed the government’s achievements in the irrigation sector over the last four years. He noted that since April 2022, ₹6,700 crores have been spent on lining, repairing, modernizing, and strengthening canal infrastructure, marking the highest expenditure in Punjab’s history.
He emphasized that the total canal irrigation capacity in Punjab is approximately 7.59 million acres. However, by March 2022, only 2.09 million acres were receiving canal water, which represented merely 26.5% of the total capacity. “Today, we have expanded this coverage to nearly 5.8 million acres, utilizing canal water up to 78%. This is nearly three times the previous figures,” he stated.
CM Mann further assured that the government is maximizing the use of available canal water in the state. He elaborated on the ground-level initiatives, mentioning that approximately ₹2,000 crores have been invested in the construction and restoration of nearly 13,000 kilometers of canals. This investment has enabled canal water to reach 5.8 million acres of land, alongside the restoration of around 7,000 waterways.
He also highlighted significant infrastructural improvements, noting that for the first time in the state’s history, 101 abandoned canals spanning 545 kilometers have been revived. Many of these canals had been closed for 30 to 40 years and were filled with soil.
“We restored them without acquiring a single inch of land,” he explained. He added that the revival of rainwater drainage channels alone has brought an additional 2.7 million acres under irrigation.
By reinstating old canal systems, the government has ensured that an extra 10,000 cusecs of water now reaches the fields. In fact, a new Bhakra Canal has been effectively constructed without any land acquisition.
My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment