Malwa, Feb 25: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday marked a significant milestone for the state’s agricultural sector by inaugurating the first phase of the Ferozepur Feeder Canal’s reconstruction and relining. Speaking in Makhu, the Chief Minister declared the canal a lifeline for the Malwa region, specifically benefiting the districts of Ferozepur, Faridkot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Fazilka.
The ₹180 crore project has successfully expanded the canal’s capacity from 11,192 cusecs to 13,873 cusecs. CM Mann stated that previous administrations had neglected the infrastructure for over seven decades, failing to undertake necessary concrete lining or capacity increases. He noted that since the Aam Aadmi Party government assumed office, canal water coverage in Punjab has risen from 21% to 68%, with a target of reaching 85% by the upcoming paddy season.
“Punjab has no surplus water; our interests are supreme, and we will not give even a single drop of water to any other state,” the Chief Minister affirmed. He maintained that past governments led by the Congress and Akali Dal had betrayed the state by signing agreements to divert water elsewhere.
The technical upgrades include increasing the canal’s depth from 18 to 21 feet and its width from 163 to 180 feet. Officials stated that the project, which involved 4,000 workers operating in “war mode,” was completed in just 35 days. This relining is expected to provide reliable irrigation to over 6.45 lakh hectares, reaching tail-end border villages in Fazilka and Jalalabad that previously struggled with water scarcity and pollution issues.
