In a significant step towards strengthening Punjab’s irrigation infrastructure, canal water from the Ropar canal network has now reached even the tail end villages, marking a transformational shift for farmers who had long depended on erratic groundwater. In 2025-26, the irrigated area under the Ropar Canal Network has expanded from 29,488 acres to 85,447 acres. Another 3,882 acres is being added.
This will take the total area to 89,329 acres, recording a 200% increase, informed Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal. When the AAP government assumed office in 2022 under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, canal water usage in Punjab stood at a modest 26.5%.
Recognising the urgency of sustainable water management, the government initiated large scale cleaning, repair and revival of long neglected canals, distributaries and water courses. He said that these efforts are now delivering visible results.
The state has already achieved nearly 78% of its targeted canal irrigation coverage, with a clear focus on ensuring that canal water reaches every farmer during the paddy sowing season. Villages such as Rudka, Pandori, Jangpura, Dhatt, Dhaler Kalan, Nuthuheri, Mankheri, Sultanpur, Bhudan and Bhadrawan, Barundi, Rashin, Tungaheri, Kanganwal etc. under the districts Ludhiana and Malerkotla region have witnessed canal water reaching their fields after nearly four decades, bringing renewed hope and improved agricultural productivity.
The Cabinet Minister said that a key driver of this transformation has been the revival and expansion of LIFT irrigation schemes. Infrastructure including risers and storage tanks has been completed in villages such as Samlah, Paharpur, Lakher and Midhwan, extending irrigation to previously uncovered areas.
In the Sri Anandpur Sahib belt, Lift irrigation initiatives are set to bring an additional 3,882 acres under irrigation. Another major achievement has been the restoration of long-defunct Lift irrigation systems that had remained non-functional for over a decade.
Through coordinated efforts between the government and farmers, old pipelines, pumps and control panels have been repaired or replaced, while pump houses have been restored. Farmers have also actively contributed by upgrading field-level infrastructure, he added.
As a result, nearly 1,539 acres of additional land under Nangal tehsil of Ropar District have been brought under irrigation through these revived systems. Encouraged by the long-term benefits of canal water, farmers have shown strong support by adopting improved water distribution practices.
The impact of these efforts goes beyond numbers. It reflects a decisive shift towards sustainable agriculture, reduced dependence on groundwater and enhanced farm productivity. By ensuring that canal water reaches even the remotest fields, the Punjab Government is not only revitalising infrastructure but also restoring confidence among farmers.
This initiative aligns with a broader vision to make the lives of Punjab’s farmers and citizens more secure, prosperous and sustainable, while safeguarding the state’s most vital resource, water.