Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday laid out a comprehensive roadmap for sustainable agriculture and long-term water conservation, calling upon farmers across Punjab to shift decisively towards canal-based irrigation and reduce excessive dependence on groundwater.
Interacting with villagers during his visit to his native village, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann underlined that Punjab’s future is inseparably tied to its water resources and that preserving them is both an urgent necessity and a collective responsibility. “Punjab’s very existence is intrinsically linked to its water, and preserving it is not merely a policy priority but a moral responsibility,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, while announcing that canal water will be made available from May 1 itself for the upcoming paddy season, marking a significant shift from conventional irrigation schedules.
He added, “This is the first time in Punjab’s history that canal water is being released from May 1 to benefit farmers ahead of the paddy sowing season.”
Highlighting the scale of the initiative, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said that 21,000 cusecs of water has already been released into the canal network to facilitate early irrigation. “We are committed to ensuring that every single drop of water is conserved and utilized efficiently,” he stated.
Reaffirming Punjab’s rights over its water, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Punjab has neither shared any water with other states nor allowed any flow towards Pakistan, ensuring that the entire allocation is utilized for the benefit of our farmers.” He pointed to the alarming depletion of groundwater due to decades of over-extraction and stressed the need for an immediate shift in approach.
“Groundwater is a precious and finite resource that must be preserved for future generations. The time has come for a collective shift in mindset. Canal water is not just an alternative, it is the sustainable future of Punjab’s agriculture,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, urging farmers to reduce reliance on tube-wells.
Detailing the government’s efforts, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said, “Since March 2026, ₹6,700 crore has been spent on irrigation projects across Punjab, with approximately 14,000 kilometers of pipelines and watercourses laid to ensure efficient water distribution and minimize losses.” He added that before the current paddy season, an additional 4,000 kilometers of watercourses and 3,000 kilometers of pipelines will become operational.
“The 21,000 cusecs of water being released will also help test these systems, identify bottlenecks, and address deficiencies. The scale of this infrastructure development is unprecedented and reflects our commitment to modernising Punjab’s irrigation network,” CM Bhagwant Singh Mann said.
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