SBS Nagar, March 19: Punjab government has operationalized the Kathgarh Lift Irrigation Scheme to serve 11,500 acres of semi-hilly agricultural land. Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal, while launching the project on Thursday, stated that the ₹214 crore investment addresses decades of neglect in the Kandi belt where conventional gravity-based canal systems were not feasible.
The Minister declared that the project is a milestone for 33 villages that faced low land value and poor crop productivity due to elevation challenges. He affirmed that the second phase of the project, costing ₹107 crore, is on track for completion by September 2026. Goyal asserted that the use of satellite and drone surveys ensured the pipeline network reached even the most remote tail-end fields without the need for fresh land acquisition.
Addressing a gathering in SBS Nagar, the Cabinet Minister maintained that the restoration of the Kandi Canal system has been a priority for the current administration. He stated that while the canal was initiated in 1980, it is only now that water has reached the tail-end areas through the relining of 120 km of watercourses and the laying of new pipelines. This transition has reportedly benefited over 1.28 lakh acres across 12 blocks after a gap of three decades.
Goyal also highlighted the broader social impact of the government’s policies, stating that the strengthening of canals has directly contributed to rising groundwater levels and reduced power consumption. He affirmed that the administration remains committed to providing 600 units of free power and health insurance up to ₹10 lakh to every household. The ceremony was attended by local MLAs and senior district officials, who lauded the technical precision of the new lift system.
