Chandigarh/Sri Chamkaur Sahib, July 28 : Punjab Water Resources Barinder Kumar Goyal today dedicated the series of key water resources projects aimed at strengthening canal irrigation in Village Rurki Heeran of Sri Chamkaur Sahib Assembly Constituency. He said that Punjab Government is taking historic steps to maximise canal water supply to fields while conserving the state’s rapidly depleting groundwater resources.
Barinder Kumar Goyal informed that projects including the lining of the Samrala Major, restoration of the Amarala Minor and laying of underground pipeline networks have been completed in the constituency at a total cost of Rs.26.12 crore. These projects will ensure canal water reaches thousands of acres for the first time while substantially expanding irrigation coverage in several existing command areas.
The Cabinet Minister informed that Rs.11.74 crore has been spent on lining the 7.21-kilometre-long Samrala Major. The project will directly benefit 13 villages and increase the canal irrigated area from 2,516 acres to 3,333 acres, bringing an additional 817 acres under canal irrigation.
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He further informed that the 3.35-kilometre-long Amarala Minor has been restored at a cost of Rs.2.01 crore. The project will benefit four villages and increase the canal irrigated area from 1,519 acres to 2,223 acres, extending irrigation facilities to an additional 704 acres.
He said that two underground pipeline systems with a combined length of 10.76 kilometres have been laid at a cost of Rs.8.95 crore to ensure efficient delivery of canal water directly to farmers’ fields. These pipelines will benefit nine villages and increase the canal irrigated area from 1,698 acres to 2,295 acres, bringing an additional 597 acres under assured canal irrigation.
Barinder Kumar Goyal further informed that the Punjab Government has established lift irrigation schemes in the villages of Jhallian, Kheri Salabatpur, Dhaularan and Bhojemajra along the Sirhind Canal at a cost of Rs.3.42 crore. These schemes will provide canal irrigation to 965 acres of agricultural land.
The Cabinet Minister said that 40 temporary outlets (Moghas) have also been constructed across the Sri Chamkaur Sahib Assembly Constituency, directly benefiting farmers of 17 villages. These villages include Pathreri Jattan, Balsandha, Simbal Jhallian, Amarali, Ramgarh, Oind, Luthedi, Rurki, Ballan, Chuharmajra, Barsalpur, Kotli, Majri, Saidpur, Chaklan, Kalemajra and several other villages.
The Water Resources Minister informed that in 2022, only 3,217 acres in these villages were covered under canal irrigation. Following the restoration of canals, construction of temporary Moghas and laying of underground pipelines, the irrigated area has now increased to 4,518 acres, bringing an additional 1,301 acres under canal irrigation.
Barinder Kumar Goyal further said that earlier, lift irrigation projects worth nearly Rs.44 crore had already been completed in the Sri Chamkaur Sahib Assembly Constituency, extending canal water to 21 villages. With the completion of the newly inaugurated projects, canal water availability for agriculture has been further strengthened across a major part of the constituency.
The Cabinet Minister reiterated that the Punjab Government’s primary objective is to maximise canal water supply to farmers, reduce dependence on tubewells and conserve groundwater. He said previous governments had failed to maintain the canal infrastructure adequately, whereas the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann led government has prioritised the revival of water resources by undertaking canal desilting, repairs, lining, construction of new Moghas and installation of underground pipeline networks on a record scale.
He further stated that ensuring Punjab’s rightful share of water reaches Punjab’s fields remains the government’s priority. Strengthening the canal network will not only reduce irrigation costs for farmers but also help conserve groundwater for future generations.
On the occasion, Sri Chamkaur Sahib MLA Dr. Charanjit Singh thanked Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann and Water Resources Minister Sh. Barinder Kumar Goyal for undertaking these landmark irrigation projects. He said the initiatives would prove to be a boon for farmers and fulfil the long-pending demand for improved canal irrigation facilities in the constituency.
Dr. Charanjit Singh said that canal lining, underground pipeline networks and lift irrigation schemes will provide canal water to thousands of acres, significantly reducing irrigation costs, enhancing agricultural productivity and strengthening groundwater conservation. He assured that the Punjab Government will continue implementing such public welfare projects for the development of the constituency and the prosperity of its farmers.