Big achievement of Bhagwant Mann government, in just 4 years water equal to Bhakra Canal was delivered to the fields of the state.

Chandigarh: Highlighting the historic changes made in Punjab’s irrigation system, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann today said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in just four years has provided water supply equivalent to the Bhakra Canal to the state’s farms by ensuring 10,000 cusecs of water from seasonal rivers and reviving the defunct canal network.

The Chief Minister said that in the year 2022, only 26.50 percent irrigation was being done through canal irrigation, which has increased to 78 percent today. Under this, the long closed system of 22 km long Sarhali canal has been revived, 24-hour supply of water has been ensured through the Firozpur-Sirhind feeder and for the first time after independence, canal water has been supplied to 1,446 villages.

Account of work done on irrigation in the last four years

Addressing the press conference, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann presented a detailed account of the work done by the Punjab government in the irrigation sector in the last four years. The Chief Minister said, “From April 2022 till now, Rs 6,700 crore has been spent on lining, repair, modernization and strengthening of infrastructure of canals, which is the highest expenditure so far in the history of Punjab.”

He said that in Punjab, about 75.90 lakh acres can be irrigated with canal water, whereas till March 2022, only 20.89 lakh acres were getting canal water, which is only 26.5 percent.

Three times increase in canal irrigation area

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Today we have increased the area under irrigation with canal water to about 58 lakh acres, due to which the utilization of canal water has increased to about 78 percent. This is almost three times the earlier figures.” He further said that the Punjab government has ensured maximum utilization of canal water available in the state.

Repair of canals and restoration of skins

Giving information about the extensive work done at the ground level, he said, “We have spent about Rs 2,000 crore to construct and repair about 13,000 km of canals, due to which canal water is now reaching 58 lakh acres of area. Along with this, about 7,000 hides have been restored.”

He further said, “A total of 15,539 canals have been cleaned and 18,349 water ways have been revived, due to which canal water has now been delivered to even the remotest fields of the state.”

Revival of 101 closed canals

Referring to the infrastructure initiatives, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “For the first time in the history of Punjab, 101 closed canals spanning 545 kilometers have been revived. Many of these canals were closed for 30 to 40 years and were also filled with soil. We have restored these canals without occupying an inch of land.”

Additional 10,000 cusecs of water from storm drains

He further said that reviving storm drains alone has helped in bringing 2.75 lakh acres under canal irrigation. “By restoring the old canal systems, we have ensured that 10,000 cusecs of additional water is now reaching the fields. In fact, we have built a new ‘Bhakra Canal’ without acquiring any land,” he said.

Revival of Sarhali Minor Canal

Sharing a shining example from Tarn Taran district, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Due to the negligence of the previous governments, the 22 km long Sarhali Minor Canal had completely disappeared. When our engineers started the work, they found the canal ruined. Even the local people had forgotten its existence. Today we have revived it and made it fully functional.”

Modernization of Firozpur Feeder and Sirhind Canal

On strengthening the main canal systems, he said, “The Firozpur Feeder Canal, which was actually built in 1952, was upgraded in a record 35 days, increasing its capacity by 2,682 cusecs. Similarly, the Sirhind Canal, considered the lifeline of Malwa, which was built around 1950, has been upgraded after 75 years, increasing its capacity by 2,844 cusecs. There has been an increase.”

1.5 MAF excess water from canal lining

He further said, “By lining big canals like Sirhind and Patiala, we have increased the water availability by about 1.5 MAF and ensured that even remote farms in the state no longer face water shortage.”

Rotational system finished, daily water supply

Talking about the problems that have been troubling farmers for long, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Earlier, water was supplied in the canals on a rotational basis, due to which farmers had to wait for their turn. For the first time, we have ended this system and ensured that farmers get water every day.”

He further said that the government, whenever necessary, diverted the canals towards Harike Port to ensure equal distribution of water. Revival of closed canal in Kandi area. Speaking about the Kandi area, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “The Kandi canal in Hoshiarpur, which was closed for almost 40 years, has now been restored. The people of the area understand the real value of water and the restoration of this canal brought them great relief. Is.”

He further said that due to the expansion of canal infrastructure, for the first time after independence, about 1400 villages are getting canal water. “Many of these villages had not seen canal water for 20-50 years.”

Contribution of new canal systems

He also informed that new canal systems like Cheema Minor, Phillaur Minor, Karamgarh Link, Rajpura, Patdan, Ghaggar and Kotla have contributed significantly in increasing the irrigation facilities in the areas. 8 new canals and 18 pump systems commissioned. Talking about the expansion of infrastructure, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “We have built 8 new canals and commissioned 18 pump systems to strengthen the irrigation system in many districts.”

Administrative Reforms and Dedicated Division

Citing administrative reforms, he said, “To improve efficiency, we have created dedicated canal water and groundwater divisions like Fatehgarh Canal Division and Tarn Taran Canal Division and permanently deployed officers to ensure accountability and prompt implementation.”

Significant reduction in groundwater dependence

Regarding groundwater conservation, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Due to our efforts, dependence on groundwater has been reduced to a great extent. In a village in Gurdaspur, groundwater extraction has reduced from 61.48 percent to about 31 percent, which is a wonderful achievement. This will benefit future generations.”

He further said that the government aims to further increase the use of surface water and reduce dependence on ground water sources. Flood management and strengthening of river embankments. Regarding disaster management and environmental restoration, he said that Rs 477 crore has been spent from the State Disaster Relief Fund for 195 works for the purpose of flood prevention and water management. We have identified 199 de-silting sites and deployed new chain-mounted machines to clean drains on a war footing.

He further said, “Desilting work is underway from rivers like Sutlej, Ravi and Ghaggar with a target of desilting 245 million cubic feet, of which significant progress has already been made. Apart from this, 206 km of river embankments are being strengthened to prevent flood damage.”

Action under Punjab Canal and Drainage Act, 2023

He further said, “To prevent illegal encroachments and to protect life and property, 849 drains out of 850 have been notified under the Punjab Canal and Drainage Act, 2023.” Shahpur Kandi Dam Project completed Referring to the long stalled infrastructure project, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Shahpur Kandi Dam Project, which was pending for more than 25 years, has now been completed. It has been completed at a cost of Rs 3394.49 crore. This will increase the capacity of Ranjit Sagar Dam and stop our water flowing into Pakistan’s territory.

protector of water vs destroyer of water

Taking a strong stand, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Those who claimed to be the protectors of Punjab’s water destroyed our water. We have revived both our water and the system.” Canal water will increase crop productivity He said, “Canal water contains essential minerals and its increased availability will significantly improve crop productivity. Farmers are happy as many have got canal water in their fields for the first time.”

Inspiration from the messages of gurus

Citing the spiritual spirit of Punjab, he said, “We follow the great message of our Gurus, ‘Pavanu Guru Paani Pita Mata Dharti Mahatu.’ We take inspiration from and are committed to protecting our natural resources.”

Revenue generating model for irrigation department

He further said that the irrigation department is also being developed as a revenue generating model. He further said that we have developed 26 tourist destinations including boating facilities, rest houses, headworks and other infrastructure to encourage tourism and generate revenue.