Punjab farmers are witnessing a new dawn today. This change has come not from a mere announcement, but from on-the-ground action that has forever transformed the state’s irrigation system. Thanks to the visionary initiatives of the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, canal water now reaches almost every farm in Punjab, a dream that had remained unfulfilled for decades.
It is nothing short of miraculous that in Punjab, where only 68% of farms once received canal water, this figure has now increased to an impressive 84%. This achievement is a direct result of the 14-point program implemented under the ‘Integrated Provincial Water Scheme’. The government has not only restored 15,914 waterways but also ensured water flow back into 916 canals and minors, bringing water to even the most remote areas of the state.
The biggest hallmark of this transformation is underground pipelines. To prevent water wastage and deliver it directly to the fields, the government has laid 2,400 kilometers of underground pipelines, providing new irrigation facilities to 30,282 hectares of land.
The enthusiasm for this initiative is clearly visible among the farmers of the Sri Anandpur Sahib constituency. When these farmers saw canal water reaching their fields through pipelines for the first time, their joy knew no bounds. This water has become not just a means of irrigation for them, but a ray of hope for life in an area that had been dry for 35-40 years. The emotional farmers immediately thanked Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and local MLA Harjot Singh Bains. This smile on the farmers’ faces is a true story of the Mann government’s success.
The Mann government hasn’t stopped at just providing water. Major steps have also been taken to promote water conservation and modern farming. Punjab, which faced a groundwater crisis, is now receiving 300 million liters per day (MLD) of treated water through 28 projects. Farmers are also receiving 90% group and 50% individual subsidies for modern irrigation systems like drip and sprinkler irrigation. Furthermore, 160 water harvesting structures and solar-lift irrigation schemes have been implemented in the Kandi region and 125 villages.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has clarified that this is not just about water management, but a vision to provide water to every farm. His policies have established Punjab as a model state for irrigation and sustainable agriculture, where farmers can expect higher yields and a better standard of living.
