Malwa, September 28: The Punjab government has formally initiated land acquisition in Muktsar district for the proposed Malwa canal, a project pitched as the first major canal to be built in the state since Independence. The canal, originating from the Harike headworks, is designed to boost irrigation across Ferozepur, Faridkot, and Muktsar districts.
A notification issued by the Water Resources Department and published in the state gazette on Saturday restricts the sale, transfer, or encumbrance of identified land in 22 villages of Muktsar district without prior approval from the Collector. Landowners may file objections on the acquisition, its suitability, or the social impact assessment (SIA) findings within 60 days at the offices of the Land Acquisition Collector-cum-SDMs in Muktsar, Gidderbaha, and Malout.
According to officials, the 149-km-long, 50-ft-wide, and 12.5-ft-deep canal will carry a capacity of 2,000 cusecs and irrigate nearly 2 lakh acres of farmland. The project also includes an augmentation channel on the left of the Rajasthan Feeder canal to supplement water supply.
Sandeep Singh, District Revenue Officer (DRO) of Muktsar, said, “Around 77 km of the canal will pass through Muktsar district. For this, 822 acres have to be acquired, of which 496 acres fall in Muktsar alone.”
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had visited the project site at Doda village on July 27 last year, stressing his government’s resolve to improve irrigation infrastructure in the Malwa region. At the time, he had described the Malwa canal as a “dream project” and a milestone for the state.
However, both farmers and the opposition have questioned the feasibility of the plan. “Our simple question is: How will water flow from a low area to a higher plain? The government is misguiding the public,” said Bittu Mallan, an activist of Bharti Kisan Union (Ekta-Ugrahan). Opposition parties have repeatedly termed the project a publicity stunt by the AAP government, though party leaders maintain it is a long-awaited solution for water scarcity in the region.
To oversee rehabilitation and resettlement, the Muktsar Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) has been appointed as administrator, while the Ferozepur Divisional Commissioner has been designated commissioner for the project.
With land acquisition now underway, the government faces the challenge of addressing farmers’ concerns and proving that the project can deliver on its ambitious promises.
