Chandigarh, December 29:
Punjab Water Resources Department has achieved unprecedented milestones in strengthening state’s water infrastructure and ensuring equitable water distribution to the farmers of the state.
Disclosing this here, Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal said that In a landmark achievement, department has successfully executed development projects worth over Rs.2100 crores up till the last of the 2024, which included comprehensive canal lining, repairs and water course rehabilitation. This extensive work has significantly improved water availability to the tail-end farmers, fulfilling the commitment to equitable water distribution, he added.
One of the most significant accomplishments of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government has been addressing the chronic issue of water logging through the relining of Sirhind Feeder. Out of total project cost of Rs.671.478 crores, the department has completed approximately 89.61 kilometers of relining works, amounting to Rs.543.43 crores. This intervention has been crucial in mitigating waterlogging issues that have long plagued agricultural lands, said the Cabinet Minister.
He said that statewide water courses restoration drive has also yielded remarkable results. The department has successfully revitalized 15947 water courses that had been non-functional for two to three decades. This initiative has brought canal water for irrigation to more than 950 villages for the first time in their history.
“In a progressive policy shift, we removed the 25-year restriction on water course repairs, enabling our field officers to undertake immediate restoration works, said the Water Resources Minister, adding that through effective convergence of MGNREGA and state funds, the state has rehabilitated over 909 water courses, spanning more than 700 kilometers in just two years.
Sh. Goyal said that historic transformative initiative of construction of Malwa Canal project will revolutionize irrigation in the Malwa region. This 150-kilometer canal, with an investment of Rs.2300 crores, will irrigate approximately two lakh acres across five districts – Bathinda, Faridkot, Fazilka, Ferozepur and Sri Muktsar Sahib. Besides this, three new canals are under construction in Pathankot district, bringing surface water to this region for the first time.
Mann government’s commitment to groundwater conservation has led to the revival of 30 defunct groundwater recharge structures, with 129 more sites nearing completion. The department has completed boring at 128 water recharge sites and 60 new sites have been identified for future development.
He said that in the direction of digital transformation, the state has launched E-Sinchai, a comprehensive mobile application for farmer services, including Warabandi and Chakbandi. The Punjab Canal and Regulation Information System, another digital initiative, provides real-time monitoring of canal discharges and brings unprecedented transparency to water distribution.
To streamline administrative processes, the Cabinet Minister said, we have developed an online portal for NOC services related to lands near water bodies, significantly reducing processing times. Through process re-engineering and digitization, the department has achieved a remarkable 60-70% reduction in application processing time.
