The Punjab Legislative Assembly, on Tuesday, unanimously passed resolution to protect the declining water levels and environment of the state.
Chandigarh, March 25: The Punjab Legislative Assembly, on Tuesday, unanimously passed a resolution. It aims to protect the declining water levels and environment of the state. Punjab Water Resources Minister Brinder Kumar Goyal, while speaking on a resolution introduced by MLA Nabha S Gurdev Singh Dev Maan, highlighted the initiative and efforts of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann led government to conserve groundwater and expressed disappointment over the union government’s biased approach.
“Govt Boosts Canal Investment
During his address in the assembly, Goyal stated that the previous Congress government spent around Rs. 2046 crore on canal infrastructure from 2019 to 2022.In contrast, our government has invested over Rs.4557-CR from 2022 to 2025 on canal water conservation, infrastructure restoration and ensuring reaches agricultural land, which is more than 2.25 times the previous expenditure.
He said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had decided immediately upon forming the government to ensure water reaches agricultural land, which we have successfully accomplished.
Previously, dam was utilized at only 68%. Now, through Mann government efforts, it has increased to 84%, said the Cabinet Minister. The government has restored 17072 water courses spanning 6300 Kms. These courses had been dilapidated and non-functional for 30-40 years.
water : “Govt Restores 79 Canals, Expands Irrigation Across Punjab”
The government has restored 79 canals extending 545 kms, providing irrigation to 41135 acres. In the Fazilka district bordering Pakistan, 12 canals have been restored. These canals span 213 Kms under the Luther Canal System. They had been non-operational for 15 years.
The cabinet minister further stated that the government is constructing new canals in Malerkotla, Pathankot, Malwa, Amritsar, and other regions. In Tarn Taran district, authorities have restored 23 canals that were non-functional for 30-40 years.
The government has completed expansion work on Rohira, Kanganwal and Dehlon canals. This effort is to provide water to new areas in Malerkotla district. He added that the government has initiated new canal construction in Malerkotla, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Fazilka, and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts.
“Canal Capacity Boosted, Recharge Projects Expanded Across Punjab”
For the first time since independence, the capacity of major canals has increased. This includes Sirhind Canal and Patiala Feeder. “We addressed design issues. and resolved farmers’ demands. We gained the union government’s confidence. The long-pending Sirhind Feeder Canal relining project has been completed”, said Goyal.
He said that authorities have completed 129 canal water recharge sites and are developing 60 more recharge schemes. They are excavating 127 new ponds and connecting them to canals for groundwater recharge, while linking 66 existing ponds with canals to enhance groundwater recharge.
The cabinet minister stated that compared to the previous five years, the government is now capable of utilizing 12% more additional water during the Kharif season. Authorities have identified 28 new lift schemes in Ropar and Hoshiarpur districts to supply water to Punjab’s neglected border areas, with 15 schemes already operational.
“Punjab Seeks ₹17,000 Cr for Infrastructure”
Taking union government iron-handedly, Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal said that while the union government consistently produces reports about declining water levels in Punjab, but it has never fulfilled its responsibility to help conserve the state’s water resources.
“Punjab requires Rs.17000-CR for water-courses work.The Cabinet Minister said that constructing all water-courses and laying underground pipes could save the state 20% of its water. He added that while authorities have restored many canals, they are not fully capable of carrying water. The government needs significant financial investment for infrastructure and recharge systems.
Sh. Goyal said that for a state that has lost its water for the nation, the union government is not taking any concrete steps to address its water challenges. He urged for union government support to help Punjab properly manage its water resources and preserve water for future generations. The minister also urged legislators to begin water conservation efforts at an individual level.
On this important resolution, Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, Lal Chand Kataruchak and Laljit Singh Bhullar, MLAs Inderbir Singh Nijjar, Narinder Kaur Bharaj, Dinesh Chadha, Manpreet Singh Ayali, Manwinder Singh Giaspura, Kulwant Singh Pandori, Rana Inder Pratap Singh, Principal Budh Ram, Kuljit Singh Randhawa, Labh Singh Uggoko, Inderjit Kaur Mann, Jamil-ur-Rehman, Gurlal Singh Ghanaur, Prof. Jaswant Singh Gajjanmajra, Hardev Singh Laddi, Fauja Singh Sarari, Rana Gurjit Singh, Sandeep Jakhar, Avtar Henry and Barindermeet Singh Pahra also expressed their views.
