Punjab's Water Revolution: Canal Irrigation Takes Center Stage

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann urges a shift towards canal-based irrigation, lessening reliance on groundwater. He announces canal water availability from May 1 for paddy farming and describes new legislation for stricter anti-sacrilege measures. The state launches a pilot to move high-tension wires underground in agriculture zones.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has appealed to the state's farmers to shift their irrigation practices from groundwater dependency to canal-based systems. During a visit to his ancestral village Satauj, he made a groundbreaking announcement about canal water availability starting from May 1, a first in Punjab's history, to aid in paddy cultivation.

Emphasizing the urgent need to protect Punjab's depleting groundwater resources, Mann announced that 21,000 cusecs of water have already been released into canals. He shared that since 2026, significant investments have been made in irrigation infrastructure, including thousands of kilometers of new pipelines and watercourses.

In legislative strides, Mann highlighted the passage of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Bill, designed to enforce stricter punishments for sacrilege. Furthermore, he revealed a pilot project to relocate high-tension wires underground, aiming to prevent risks to farmers and crops, initially rolling out in his native village.