Punjab Cabinet Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal on Thursday, 7 May reviewed the ongoing relining work of the Rajasthan Feeder Canal in Chandigarh and directed officials to ensure the project's timely completion. The canal, nearly six decades old, has seen significant structural deterioration, prompting urgent remedial action to protect adjoining villages and urban areas.

Key Developments

According to Minister Goyal, repeated breaches in the common bank shared by the Rajasthan Feeder and Sirhind Feeder canals have posed a persistent threat to surrounding communities. The relining initiative is being undertaken specifically to avert such damage and eliminate the risk to life and property in the affected zones.

Notably, reconstruction of the Sirhind Feeder Canal has already been completed at a cost of ₹800 crore. Officials confirmed that once the Rajasthan Feeder relining is finished, both canal corridors will offer substantially improved protection to adjoining settlements.

Progress and Pending Work

Of the total stretch requiring attention, 80 km of the Rajasthan Feeder Canal had already been relined by 2023. The remaining 16.62-km stretch could not be taken up earlier due to the non-availability of a canal closure window. With the current closure now in effect, the pending portion is being executed on a war footing at an estimated cost of nearly ₹170 crore.

Brick Lining Near Faridkot for Groundwater Recharge

Responding to demands raised by social organisations and local farmers of Faridkot, a 12.50-km stretch of the Rajasthan Feeder near Faridkot city is being lined with bricks rather than concrete. This approach is intended to facilitate groundwater recharge — a critical concern in Punjab, where groundwater depletion has become a major agricultural and ecological challenge.

Impact on Irrigation and Water Allocation

Once the relining is complete, the canal is expected to operate at its full designed capacity. Minister Goyal stated that Rajasthan will receive water strictly as per its allocated share following the project's completion. The improved canal infrastructure will also ensure a more reliable supply of water to agricultural fields along the canal's route, benefiting farmers dependent on surface irrigation.

Broader Significance

Beyond irrigation, officials say the project will play a vital role in public safety and groundwater conservation. This comes amid growing concerns about Punjab's depleting water table and the increasing frequency of canal breaches during monsoon periods. The dual focus on structural reinforcement and ecological benefit marks a departure from purely utilitarian infrastructure upgrades. With the current canal closure window providing a narrow operational timeline, the administration is under pressure to deliver within schedule.