Chandigarh, March 18: Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday detailed a “historic turnaround” in the state’s irrigation sector, asserting that 101 abandoned canals spanning 545 km have been brought back to life without acquiring a single inch of additional land. The Chief Minister affirmed that many of these channels had been closed for up to 40 years. He maintained that the revival of these systems, along with the cleaning of over 15,000 canals, has allowed the state to utilize nearly 78% of its total irrigation potential, up from just 26% four years ago.
The Chief Minister declared that major structural upgrades to the Ferozepur and Sirhind feeders have increased their combined capacity by over 5,500 cusecs. He asserted that these improvements have ended the long wait for irrigation turns in the Malwa region. Mann stated that the revival of rainwater channels alone has added 2.75 lakh acres to the irrigated area, providing a massive boost to crop productivity. He maintained that by ensuring 24×7 water supply in key feeders, the government has addressed a primary grievance of the farming community.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann also highlighted significant progress in the Kandi region of Hoshiarpur, declaring that the return of canal water after 40 years has brought immense relief to local residents. He affirmed that the government has utilized ₹477 crore from the Disaster Mitigation Fund for flood prevention and the desilting of major rivers like the Sutlej and Ravi. The Chief Minister maintained that 206 km of river embankments are being strengthened to safeguard life and property while preventing future flood damage.
The Chief Minister asserted that the Aam Aadmi Party government has succeeded where others failed by transforming the irrigation department into a model of efficiency and accountability. He declared that dedicated canal divisions have been created in Fatehgarh and Tarn Taran to ensure faster execution of works. Mann affirmed that these reforms are not only improving current agricultural yields but are also essential for the ecological preservation of Punjab’s water table for the next century.
