Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday highlighted a significant achievement by his government in the irrigation sector, announcing a remarkable improvement in the use of canal water for agriculture.
ਸਾਡੀ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਬਨਣ ਤੋਂ ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਨਹਿਰੀ ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਵਰਤੋਂ ਸਿਰਫ਼ 21 ਫ਼ੀਸਦੀ ਕੀਤੀ ਜਾਂਦੀ ਸੀ, ਪਰ ਹੁਣ ਅਸੀਂ ਨਹਿਰੀ ਸਿਸਟਮ ਨੂੰ ਠੀਕ ਕਰਕੇ 63 ਫ਼ੀਸਦੀ ਨਹਿਰੀ ਪਾਣੀ ਦੀ ਵਰਤੋਂ ਕਰਨ ਲੱਗੇ ਹਾਂ। ਆਉਣ ਵਾਲੇ ਸਮੇਂ \’ਚ ਇਸ ਨੂੰ 90 ਫ਼ੀਸਦੀ ਤੱਕ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਜਾਵਾਂਗੇ। pic.twitter.com/jCdVpFcn9j
— Bhagwant Mann (@BhagwantMann) July 27, 2025
Taking to social media, Mann stated that before his government took office, only 21% of the available canal water was being utilized. However, due to the repair and revival of the canal system, the state has now reached 63% usage of canal water — effectively tripling its reliance on this sustainable irrigation method.
“Before our government, only 21% of canal water was being used. Now, after fixing the canal system, we are using 63%. We aim to take this figure to 90% in the near future,” Mann wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Reducing Groundwater Dependency
The Chief Minister’s announcement aligns with Punjab\’s broader goals of reducing dependence on groundwater and promoting sustainable farming practices. With alarming rates of groundwater depletion in recent years, increasing the use of canal water has been a key environmental and agricultural priority for the state.
Officials suggest that achieving the 90% target would not only ensure more equitable water distribution among farmers but also help preserve groundwater for future generations.
Infrastructure Repair and Policy Focus
Under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, several canal desilting and renovation projects have been initiated to restore the state’s vast irrigation network. These efforts have enabled the smooth flow of water to previously parched regions and are part of Punjab’s renewed agriculture and water management strategy.
Experts have welcomed the move, calling it a step in the right direction for a state that is both India’s breadbasket and one of the most water-stressed regions.
