Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal lists Mann Government’s efforts to conserve groundwater
Lamented union government always maintained biased approach
“Expenditure of over Rs.4557CR-more than double the previous dispensation, spending on canal water conservation and farm delivery”
Dam water usage increased from 68% to 84%
Restored 17072 water courses spanning 6300 kms, which were neglected for 30-40 years
Restored 79 canals extending 545 kms, providing irrigation facility to 41135 acres
Chandigarh, March 25:
The Punjab Legislative Assembly, on Tuesday, unanimously passed resolution to protect the declining water levels and environment of the state.
Punjab Water Resources Minister Sh. 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.
During his address in the assembly, Sh. Goyal said that during the previous Congress government’s tenure from 2019 to 2022, around Rs.2046-CR were spent on canal infrastructure. In contrast, our government has invested over Rs.4557-CR from 2022 to 2025 on canal water conservation, infrastructure restoration and ensuring water reaches agricultural land, which is more than 2.25 times the previous expenditure.
He said that Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann had decided immediately upon forming the government to ensure water reaches agricultural land, which we have successfully accomplished.
Previously, dam water was utilized at only 68%, but now through Mann government efforts, it has increased to 84%, said the Cabinet Minister, adding that the government has restored 17072 water courses spanning 6300 Kms, which had been dilapidated and non-functional for 30-40 years.
The government has restored 79 canals extending 545 kms, providing irrigation to 41135 acres. In the Fazilka district bordering Pakistan, 12 canals spanning 213 Kms under the Luther Canal System, which had been non-operational for 15 years, have been restored.
The cabinet minister further said that new canals are being constructed in Malerkotla, Pathankot, Malwa, Amritsar and other regions. In Tarn Taran district, 23 canals that were non-functional for 30-40 years have been restored.
To provide water to new areas in Malerkotla district, the government has completed expansion work on Rohira, Kanganwal and Dehlon canals. New canal construction processes have been initiated in Malerkotla, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Fazilka and Sri Muktsar Sahib districts, he added.
“For the first time since independence, the capacity of major canals such as Sirhind Canal and Patiala Feeder has been increased. After addressing design issues, resolving farmers’ demands and gaining the union government’s confidence, the long-pending Sirhind Feeder Canal relining project has been completed”, said Sh Goyal.
He said that 129 canal water recharge sites have been completed, with 60 more recharge schemes under development. 127 new ponds are being excavated and connected to canals for groundwater recharge. 66 existing ponds are being linked with canals to recharge groundwater.
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. In Ropar and Hoshiarpur districts, 28 new lift schemes have been identified to provide water to Punjab’s neglected border areas, with 15 schemes already operational.
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. If all water-courses are constructed and underground pipes are laid, the state could save 20% of its water”, said the Cabinet Minister, adding that while many canals have been restored, but they are not fully capable of carrying water. Significant financial investment is needed 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 Ministers Mr. Aman Arora, Mr. Lal Chand Kataruchak and S. 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.
