19-MAR-2026, 12:49 PM, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on March 18 highlighted the state government’s work on irrigation infrastructure, saying canal-water coverage had increased significantly during the past four years.
Addressing a press conference, Mann said canal irrigation coverage had risen from 26.5% in 2022 to around 78% in 2026. He attributed the increase to canal restoration, infrastructure upgrades and the revival of previously defunct water channels.
Mann also said the government had unlocked an additional 10,000 cusecs of water from seasonal rivers and revived parts of the canal network.
Government Reports Major Irrigation Expansion
According to Mann, Punjab has a canal irrigation potential of around 75.90 lakh acres.
He said that in March 2022, only about 20.89 lakh acres, or 26.5%, were receiving canal water.
The government now claims that canal water is reaching nearly 58 lakh acres, taking utilisation to around 78%.
The figures were presented by the Chief Minister as part of the government’s four-year performance report for the Water Resources Department.
₹6,700 Crore Spent on Irrigation Work
Mann said the Punjab government had spent approximately ₹6,700 crore between April 2022 and March 2026 on canal lining, repairs, modernisation and strengthening of irrigation infrastructure.
He also said around ₹2,000 crore had been spent on constructing and restoring nearly 13,000 km of canals.
The government further reported that thousands of water channels and watercourses had been restored to improve the delivery of canal water to agricultural fields.
‘New Bhakra Canal’ Claim
One of the key claims made by Mann was that Punjab had effectively created an additional water supply equivalent to a new Bhakra canal without acquiring new land.
He attributed this to the restoration of old canals and water channels, saying the work had helped bring an additional 10,000 cusecs of water to agricultural fields.
The statement refers to increased water availability through the existing canal network rather than the construction of a completely new Bhakra canal.
This distinction is important when describing the government’s announcement.
Abandoned Canals Revived
Mann said 101 abandoned canals covering about 545 km had been revived.
According to his account, several of these channels had remained closed for decades and had become filled with soil.
The government said these canals were restored without acquiring additional land.
The restoration is intended to improve water distribution and increase the area receiving canal irrigation.
Sarhali Canal Brought Back Into Operation
Mann also highlighted the restoration of the 22-km Sarhali canal in Tarn Taran district.
According to the Chief Minister, the canal had effectively disappeared and was found buried underground when engineers began working on the system.
The government said it has since been restored and made operational.
The project was presented as an example of how restoring older infrastructure can increase irrigation coverage without requiring large-scale new land acquisition.
Ferozepur Feeder and Sirhind Canal Upgraded
The Punjab government also highlighted upgrades to major canal systems.
Mann said the Ferozepur Feeder Canal, originally constructed in 1952, was upgraded in 35 days, increasing its capacity by 2,682 cusecs.
He also said the Sirhind Canal had been upgraded after decades, increasing its capacity by another 2,844 cusecs.
These projects are aimed at improving the movement of canal water and reducing shortages in areas located farther from the main distribution points.
More Villages Receive Canal Water
Another major claim from the government was that canal water had reached around 1,446 villages for the first time since Independence.
Mann linked the expansion to the restoration and strengthening of the canal network.
Improving last-mile water delivery is particularly important for farmers because canal water availability can reduce dependence on groundwater for irrigation.
Focus on Reducing Groundwater Dependence
Punjab has faced significant pressure on its groundwater resources because of intensive agricultural irrigation.
Mann said increased use of canal water had helped reduce groundwater extraction in some areas.
He cited a village in Gurdaspur where groundwater extraction had reportedly fallen from 61.48% to around 31%.
The government said it intends to further increase the use of surface water and reduce pressure on underground reserves.
Daily Canal Water Supply
Mann also said the government had moved away from the earlier rotational system of canal-water distribution in some areas.
According to his statement, farmers are now receiving canal water on a more regular basis, including daily supply where the system permits it.
The objective is to ensure more equitable distribution and improve water availability for fields located at the tail end of canal networks.
Flood Management and Water Conservation
The government’s irrigation programme also includes flood-control and water-management work.
Mann said around ₹477 crore had been used from the State Disaster Mitigation Fund for 195 works related to flood prevention and water management.
The government also reported ongoing desilting and strengthening of river and drainage infrastructure.
These measures are intended to improve both irrigation efficiency and the state’s ability to manage excess water during heavy rainfall and flooding.
Why Canal Irrigation Matters for Punjab
Canal irrigation is important for Punjab because it can reduce reliance on groundwater while providing farmers with a more predictable source of surface water.
Groundwater depletion has been a long-standing concern in the state, particularly in areas where agriculture depends heavily on tube wells.
Expanding canal networks can therefore support water conservation if the available surface water is distributed efficiently.
However, the long-term impact will depend on water availability, maintenance of infrastructure and effective distribution to farms.
Punjab’s Irrigation Plans
The state government has indicated that it wants to further expand canal irrigation coverage.
Earlier in March, Punjab’s Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal said the state budget had allocated ₹2,971 crore to expand canal irrigation and strengthen last-mile water delivery.
This suggests that irrigation expansion is expected to remain a major part of Punjab’s water-management policy.
What the Announcement Means for Farmers
For farmers, better canal-water availability could reduce dependence on groundwater pumps and potentially lower irrigation costs.
Improved canal distribution can also help provide water to areas that previously received inadequate supplies.
However, the benefits will depend on whether the expanded network consistently delivers water to individual farms and whether infrastructure is properly maintained.
The government’s reported figures therefore represent an important development, but the actual impact will need to be assessed through long-term water availability and agricultural outcomes.
Conclusion
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has highlighted a major expansion of the state’s canal irrigation network, saying coverage increased from 26.5% in 2022 to around 78% in 2026.
He said the government had spent around ₹6,700 crore on irrigation infrastructure since April 2022 and unlocked an additional 10,000 cusecs of water by restoring canals and seasonal water channels.
Mann also highlighted the revival of 101 abandoned canals, the restoration of the 22-km Sarhali canal, and upgrades to the Ferozepur Feeder and Sirhind Canal.
The Chief Minister described the additional water availability as equivalent to creating a “new Bhakra canal” without acquiring land.
The broader objective is to increase the use of surface water and reduce Punjab’s dependence on groundwater.
The figures and achievements cited in this report are claims made by the Punjab government and should be understood in that context.
Sources: Punjab government statements, PTI, The Tribune, and other reported coverage.
