Mann government’s major gift to Malwa

Canal project to irrigate 2 lakh acres in Punjab

Punjab E News: The Malwa region, Punjab’s largest and a significant contributor to agriculture, is set to receive a major boost through the newly announced Malwa Canal project.

Districts like Abohar and Fazilka have long faced water shortages for irrigation, but the Bhagwant Mann-led government has stepped in as a savior for these farmers. For the first time since independence, a new canal will be built in Punjab, with the government introducing the Malwa Canal project, which is expected to irrigate nearly 200,000 acres of land in the state.

The proposed canal will be 149.53 kilometers long, 50 feet wide, 12.5 feet deep, and have 500 outlets. With a planned capacity of 2,000 cusecs, it will be constructed at a cost of ₹2,300 crore. The canal will extend from the Harike Headworks to the village of Wadding Khera, alongside the left side of the Rajasthan Feeder Canal. A portion of the canal will be built on land in Rajasthan that was acquired for the Rajasthan Feeder project.

The Punjab government has emphasized the importance of this canal, particularly during the cropping season, when the demand on the Ferozepur Feeder is high, making it difficult to meet Punjab’s overall water requirements. This often results in reduced supply from the Sirhind Feeder, forcing the state to operate its canals on a rotational basis.

Currently, 302 lift pumps operate between RD 7100 and RD 430080 of the Sirhind Feeder, irrigating areas along the left side of the Rajasthan Feeder. However, the initial irrigation in these areas was handled by the Sirhind Canal system (Abohar Branch Upper and Bathinda Branch) from the Ropar Headworks.

Abohar and Fazilka districts have long struggled with inadequate canal water supply. To address this, the current government has decided to build the Malwa Canal, similar to the Rajasthan and Sirhind Feeders. This project is expected to increase water availability for Abohar from the Sirhind Feeder, benefiting regions like Muktsar Sahib, Gidderbaha, Bathinda, Zira, Ferozepur, and Fazilka, ensuring they receive their fair share of water for irrigation.