Chandigarh, March 18 (NationPress) Punjab's Chief Minister, Bhagwant Mann, announced on Wednesday that the state government has successfully improved water delivery to agricultural fields, matching the capacity of the Bhakra canal, by releasing 10,000 cusecs from seasonal rivers and revitalizing a deteriorating canal system.

The Chief Minister disclosed that the percentage of canal irrigation has skyrocketed from a mere 26.50% in 2022 to an impressive 78%. He highlighted the restoration of previously inactive systems like the 22-km Sarhali canal and the continuous water supply established through the Ferozepur-Sirhind feeder, providing canal water to 1,446 villages for the first time since Independence.

During a media briefing, CM Mann detailed the government's substantial efforts in the irrigation sector over the last four years.

“We have allocated Rs 6,700 crore for the lining, repair, modernization, and enhancement of infrastructure from April 2022 to date, marking the largest investment in Punjab's history,” he stated.

He noted that Punjab has a total canal irrigation capability covering approximately 75.90 lakh acres, yet by March 2022, only 20.89 lakh acres—or just 26.5%—were receiving canal water.

“Today, we've expanded this coverage to nearly 58 lakh acres, achieving a utilization rate of around 78%, which is almost three times the previous figure,” CM Mann remarked, emphasizing the government's commitment to maximizing the use of available canal water.

Outlining the extensive work completed, he mentioned, “Around Rs 2,000 crore has been invested to build and restore nearly 13,000 km of canals, allowing canal water to reach 58 lakh acres. Additionally, approximately 7,000 water channels have been rejuvenated.”

He continued: “A total of 15,539 canals have been cleaned, and 18,349 watercourses have been revived, ensuring that even the most distant agricultural fields benefit from canal water.”

CM Mann emphasized a significant structural advancement, stating that for the first time in the state's history, 101 abandoned canals over 545 km have been restored. Many of these canals had been closed for 30 to 40 years and filled with soil.

“We managed this restoration without acquiring a single inch of land,” he asserted, noting that the revival of rainwater channels alone has brought an additional 2.75 lakh acres under irrigation.

“By rehabilitating old canal systems, we have ensured that an extra 10,000 cusecs of water is now reaching the fields. Effectively, we've created a new Bhakra canal without needing any land acquisition,” he concluded.