Amritsar, December 25: Punjab Water Conservation Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal highlighted the state’s strides in water conservation and irrigation infrastructure. Among the key developments are two NABARD-funded projects worth ₹277.57 crore, set to irrigate over 40,000 hectares across the state.
The minister also emphasized initiatives using treated water from sewage plants, covering 2,233 hectares under 18 pipeline-based irrigation projects with an investment of ₹50 crore. Additionally, the state laid 860 km of underground pipelines to benefit 10,841 hectares, offering a 90% subsidy to farmer groups and 50% for individual farmers.
Drip and sprinkler irrigation systems now cover 1,874 hectares with similar subsidies, while solar-lift irrigation projects in 27 villages use rural pond water for farming to conserve groundwater.
In the Kandi region, 42 water conservation structures and check dams were built to manage rainwater, prevent flooding, and curb soil erosion. Minister Goyal reiterated the government’s focus on maximizing surface water use and supporting farmers through sustainable irrigation practices introduced in 2024.
