Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday introduced a serious reduction for farmers forward of the paddy season, declaring that canal water for irrigation can be made obtainable from Could 1 itself, with 21,000 cusecs of water to be launched throughout the state, marking a decisive shift away from Punjab’s heavy reliance on groundwater.
Backed by a ₹6,700 crore funding in irrigation infrastructure, a 14,000 km pipeline community, and the activation of seven,000 newly constructed watercourses and channels, the Bhagwant Mann Authorities has paired this масштаб push with an 8-hour energy provide schedule throughout 4 zones to streamline sowing.
The transfer not solely ensures assured irrigation for paddy but additionally secures water availability for cotton, horticulture, maize and fodder within the Malwa area, whereas delivering tangible positive factors in groundwater recharge, with ranges rising by 2 to 4 metres, signalling a structural reset within the state’s water administration technique.
Taking to X, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann acknowledged, “Throughout a press convention held in Chandigarh at present, essential data was shared concerning Punjab’s water sources, agriculture, and the intense way forward for its youth. Our major goal is to cut back using groundwater and be certain that canal water reaches each subject.”
He additional acknowledged, “A historic funding of ₹6,700 crore has been made in irrigation infrastructure. With 14,000 kilometres of recent pipelines and 4,000 kilometres of recent canals constructed this season, full water can be launched into the canals from Could 1. Even tail-end areas like Fazilka and Abohar will obtain water by Could 2. As a result of water recharge efforts, groundwater ranges have risen by 2 to 4 metres. Together with this, to avoid wasting electrical energy and guarantee comfort for labourers, paddy sowing has been divided into 4 zones. Direct seeding will start from Could 15, and from June 1, canal water provide can be supplied in a phased method. I might additionally prefer to make clear that each doable help can be prolonged to Punjabis who’ve been deported from Australia.”
“The federal government is totally dedicated to offering employment to the youth and securing the way forward for coming generations by saving each drop of water within the state.” the submit concluded.
On Wednesday, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann additionally stated, “For the primary time, water is being launched within the state from Could 1 to learn the farmers of Punjab.” He asserted, “Our Authorities is dedicated to saving each single drop of water. Not a single drop has been shared with some other state, neither is any water being despatched to Pakistan.”
Highlighting the shift in the direction of sustainable irrigation, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “We have now ensured that dependency on canal water will increase in order that stress on tube wells is lowered.” He added, “By March 2026, the Punjab Authorities has spent ₹6,700 crore on irrigation works throughout Punjab.”
Elaborating additional, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann acknowledged, “This quantity has been used to put 14,000 kilometres of pipes and watercourses throughout the state.” He added, “Earlier than this paddy season, 4,000 km of newly constructed watercourses and three,000 km of pipelines can be made operational.” He stated, “21,000 cusecs of water can be launched in these pipelines and watercourses to check them and take away any shortcomings.”
Underscoring the dimensions of the initiative, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “The water being launched is the same as the provision of two Bhakra canals and can immensely profit farmers.” He added, “It can significantly assist farmers within the Malwa area for orchards and for sowing crops comparable to cotton, maize and fodder, together with getting ready fields for paddy cultivation.”
Emphasising long-term advantages, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “This water may also assist recharge groundwater by means of numerous recharge schemes, which is able to profit future generations.” He additional acknowledged, “Horticulturists, particularly in Fazilka and Abohar, will profit as they won’t should depend upon tube wells.”
Highlighting groundwater conservation, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “Recharge factors have been created in canals and rivers, leading to a rise in water ranges by two to 4 metres.” He added, “This determination is aimed toward securing the way forward for coming generations, as a result of Punjab stands for water, and with out water, the state has no existence.”
Sharing additional achievements, the Chief Minister stated, “It’s a matter of delight that because of the efforts of the Punjab Authorities, 21 lakh cubic metres of water has been recharged within the final one 12 months.”
Addressing crop planning, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann stated, “To keep away from problems for farmers in promoting paddy resulting from excessive moisture content material in October, the Punjab Authorities has determined to advance the paddy cultivation season from June 1.” He added, “Zone-wise cultivation of paddy can be carried out with correct planning and preparations.”
Outlining the schedule, the Chief Minister stated, “Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR) will start from Could 15 in all districts, with eight hours of uninterrupted energy provide.” He added, “From June 1, paddy cultivation will start in Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ropar, SAS Nagar, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib and Hoshiarpur.”
He additional acknowledged, “From June 5, cultivation will begin in Faridkot, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Fazilka, and from June 9 it should start in Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Kapurthala, Jalandhar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar.”
