Punjab government invests ₹28 crore in canal projects to boost irrigation and water conservation

The Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, has delivered a significant gift worth Rs. 28 crore to the farmers of the Jalalabad Assembly constituency.

Water Resources Minister Brinder Kumar Goyal dedicated a newly constructed canal to the public and laid the foundation stone for another, accompanied by MLA Jagdeep Kamboj Goldi.

Addressing the gathering, Cabinet Minister Brinder Kumar Goyal highlighted the long-awaited completion of the Suhele Wala Rajbaha Main Branch canal. Originally designed with a capacity of 11.55 cusecs, it has now been expanded to 36.35 cusecs, while its length has increased from 3.33 kilometers to 13.96 kilometers.

He pointed out that this project had been stalled for four decades, with previous governments failing to address the farmers' demands. However, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the long-pending canal has finally been constructed.

The minister further informed that the canal will support irrigation for 5,500 acres across nine villages, benefiting farmers from Chak Suhele Wala, Chak Janishar, Laddhu Wala Uttar, Chak Dhab Khushhal Johian, Chak Panj Kohi, Chak Kabar Wala, Chak Ghulam Rasul Wala, Chak Balochaan, and Bahmani Wala. Along with its construction, essential infrastructure such as underground pipelines, bridges, siphons, regulators, and canal crossings have been developed. The state government has invested Rs. 23.06 crore in this project.

Additionally, the foundation stone was laid for the Chaudhry Minor at Village Tahliwala Bodla. This minor canal, which had remained non-functional since 1969, will span five kilometers with a capacity of 18.26 cusecs. The government has allocated Rs. 5.18 crore for its construction, which will provide irrigation benefits to 2,743 acres in villages such as Ghatianwali Jattan, Ghatianwali Bodlan, Chahla, Tahliwala Bodlan, Singhpura, and Islam Wala.

Criticizing the inaction of previous administrations, the minister remarked, "Previous governments only did politics in the name of irrigation water but made no efforts to ensure water reached farms."

He reiterated the Mann government's commitment to ensuring full water supply to the tail-end regions. "When canal water reaches the fields, it will also help conserve groundwater," he added.

Furthermore, the minister announced a major initiative in the Arniwala area to combat waterlogging. A project worth over Rs. 27 crore has been launched, aiming to eliminate waterlogging across 29 villages within two years.

Speaking at the event, MLA Jagdeep Kamboj Goldy emphasized that the Mann government remains dedicated to public welfare. He stated that long-pending projects, neglected for decades, are now being completed under the present administration.