Canal water supply extended to 63% of fields in Punjab: ETO

Punjab Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO inaugurated renovation work on the Irrigation Department’s rest house building at Jandiala Guru here on Saturday. Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the state government has succeeded in making a three-fold increase in the use of canal water in agriculture, reviving a system that had nearly collapsed over the years.

He said until 2022, canal water was reaching only 21 per cent of the agricultural fields in Punjab. However, after extensive repairs and restoration of canals, distributaries and watercourses, the government has now extended canal water supply to 63 per cent of the fields. “The initiative has resulted in two major benefits. First, it has significantly reduced the extraction of water, helping conserve groundwater resources. Secondly, the electricity consumption required for operating tube-wells has also decreased,” said ETO.

Tale of neglect

The canal water system, originally developed during the British era, was left to deteriorate after Independence. As a result, Punjab lost much of its rightful share of canal water to neighbouring states, forcing its farmers to depend on groundwater. — Harbhajan Singh ETO, Minister

Expressing concern over the past neglect, ETO remarked that the canal water system, originally developed during the British era, was left to deteriorate after Independence. As a result, Punjab lost much of its rightful share of canal water to neighbouring states, forcing its farmers to depend on groundwater. “Our target is to cover 90 per cent of the agricultural land with canal water by next year,” added ETO.

The renovation of the project, costing Rs 47 lakh, will include construction of a new boundary wall, flooring, furniture upgrade, installation of interlock tiles and renovation of the local offices.

Once completed, the facility will serve as a proper Irrigation Department office, offering a central point for resolving issues related to canal water management in the Jandiala constituency and surrounding rural areas.

Amritsar