Chandigarh/Fatehgarh Sahib, July 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Water Resources and Soil & Water Conservation Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal on Tuesday inaugurated irrigation projects worth around Rs 57.01 crore at Khant Manpur village in the Bassi Pathana Assembly constituency, aimed at improving canal water access for farmers across 173 villages.
Bassi Pathana MLA Rupinder Singh Happy was also present during the inauguration ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Goyal said the projects would strengthen irrigation infrastructure and ensure a more reliable supply of canal water to agricultural fields. He said the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government was focused on expanding canal-based irrigation while addressing the declining groundwater levels in the state.
The minister said canal irrigation coverage in the area had increased significantly after strengthening of the irrigation network. Earlier, canal water was available to around 24,000 acres, while the coverage has now expanded to more than 37,000 acres, allowing direct supply to farmers’ fields.
He said the completion of 82.76 kilometres of distributary minors along with 58.85 kilometres of pipeline works and watercourses under the Bassi, Sirhind, Kheri, Bhamian, Kotla and Gobindgarh systems would help conserve both water and electricity.
Goyal added that improved canal connectivity would reduce farmers’ dependence on tubewells, lower irrigation costs and contribute towards preserving Punjab’s groundwater resources.
Targeting previous governments, the minister alleged that earlier administrations had politicised water-related issues instead of protecting the state’s interests. He said the present government was taking steps to safeguard Punjab’s water resources while creating a sustainable irrigation system for farmers.
Earlier, MLA Rupinder Singh Happy said the projects fulfilled a long-pending demand of farmers in the constituency. He said the government was working towards modernising the canal network to ensure water reaches every field and improve agricultural productivity and farm incomes.
He added that development works were being accelerated in Bassi Pathana to provide villages with better infrastructure and civic facilities.
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