140 yrs on, boating to return to portion of Sirhind Canal in Doraha

After nearly 140 years, boats will glide on the water of the Sirhind Canal’s Bathinda portion in Doraha, rekindling a colonial-era tradition that once defined the region’s waterways. Alongside the boating experience, an amusement park is also taking shape to offer added recreation to visitors. For Ludhiana, this is more than a tourism project, it’s a revival of history.

The initiative, led by the Water Resources Department, marks the first formal navigation activity on the canal since the 1880s, when boats were used to transport timber. Doraha, once home to a dedicated wood log market, is now preparing to host motorboats and an amusement park as part of Punjab’s new tourism policy.

A private contractor has been awarded a seven-year lease to operate boating services and develop recreational infrastructure near the old bridge at the starting point of the Sidhwan Canal. The designated boating stretch spans three kilometres, with activities concentrated in the first.

“This is perhaps the first time since the British

era that boating will be done in this canal,” said an executive engineer from the Water Resources Department (Ropar division). “It’s part of a broader push to attract visitors and generate revenue.”

Work on the site is progressing rapidly. Landscaping is complete, and three motorboats have already arrived. A test run is expected within days. The adjoining amusement park will feature children’s activities and a restaurant, with trained drivers and strict safety protocols in place.

“It is a good initiative of the government to start boating at this canal. Likewise, canal rest houses should also be revived as these can turn into major tourist attractions. Many canal rest houses have been sold off, but those remaining should be preserved,” said a Ludhiana-based heritage enthusiast.

Echoing the sentiment, Navdeep Kaur, a schoolteacher from SBS Nagar, said, “Boating in the Sirhind Canal brings a refreshing change. It’s not just recreation—it’s a chance for families to reconnect with nature and local history. If maintained well, it can become a weekend highlight for people of nearby towns.”

“It’s great to see boating coming to our canal. But the authorities concerned must ensure safety is top priority—life jackets, trained staff and emergency protocols should be mandatory,” said Anuj Sharma, a city resident.

Inspired by a similar project launched in Ropar five months ago, the initiative may soon be joined by others. A tender has been floated for boating near Neelon Bridge on the Ludhiana-Chandigarh highway, and another proposal is in the works for the Sidhwan Canal stretch from Brahman Majra to Lohara.

If successful, Ludhiana’s canals could become vibrant hubs of leisure, heritage and tourism once again.

Ludhiana