Punjab is witnessing a reported increase in the use of canal water for irrigation, with Dr Balbir Singh crediting the Bhagwant Mann-led government’s efforts to revive previously non-operational water channels and irrigation networks.
In a social media post, Singh said the government had restored defunct rajbahas (canal distributaries) and kassies (smaller irrigation channels) to improve water access for farmers. According to his post, the use of canal water has increased from 22 per cent to 88 per cent following the revival of these irrigation systems.
Punjab Government Revives Defunct Irrigation Channels
Singh said previously inactive water channels were identified using maps and subsequently revived to restore irrigation infrastructure. The initiative, he stated, has helped create new routes for delivering canal water directly to agricultural fields.
The restoration of these channels is intended to improve the reach of canal irrigation and provide farmers with greater access to surface water for agricultural activities.
Bhagwant Mann Government Focuses on Water Management
Highlighting Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s leadership, Singh said the measures were aimed at strengthening Punjab’s agricultural sector and ensuring more efficient use of water resources.
Improving canal irrigation can help reduce dependence on groundwater for agricultural needs, provided canal supplies are reliable and accessible to farmers. Better utilisation of existing irrigation infrastructure is also important for water conservation in an agriculture-dependent state such as Punjab.
Canal Water Usage Figures Highlighted in Social Media Post
Singh cited an increase in canal water usage from 22 per cent to 88 per cent, attributing the rise to the restoration of irrigation channels. However, the post did not specify the period covered by these figures or the methodology used to calculate the increase.
The stated figures therefore reflect the claims made in Singh’s social media post and would require supporting official data for independent verification.
