Chandigarh: Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal on Tuesday announced two major canal irrigation initiatives worth a combined ₹100.65 crore to provide assured surface-water irrigation to over 90,000 acres of agricultural land, reduce farmers’ dependence on groundwater and strengthen Punjab’s irrigation infrastructure. The initiatives include a ₹64.11 crore concrete lining project for the 1-R Distributary System and a ₹36.54 crore Kapuri Lift Irrigation Scheme, which will bring canal water to 20,719 acres across 20 villages in Patiala district for the first time.
Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said, “The Bhagwant Mann Government has prioritised the restoration, modernisation and expansion of the canal irrigation network to ensure reliable water supply to farmers while addressing the critical challenge of groundwater depletion. The farmers of Punjab have been feeding the nation for decades. Our responsibility is to ensure that they receive assured water for their fields. The Mann Government is restoring the canal network and taking surface water to areas which have remained dependent on groundwater for generations.”
He said the existing carrying capacity of the distributary would be increased from 154.50 cusecs to 248.69 cusecs through concrete lining. The project provides for side lining along the initial stretch and both side and bed lining along the remaining length. An allocation of ₹40 crore has been made for executing the project during the current financial year. “The 1-R Distributary was designed around six decades ago for a water allowance of 2.04 cusecs per 1,000 acres. With the Government increasing the water allowance to 3.05 cusecs per 1,000 acres, strengthening its carrying capacity has become essential,” said the Minister.
The Minister said the two initiatives marked another significant step towards the Mann Government’s objective of ensuring assured canal-water supply, reducing dependence on groundwater and building a more efficient, sustainable and robust irrigation system across Punjab.
