Chandigarh, August 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday said that the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government has undertaken large-scale initiatives to address the state’s groundwater crisis through canal restoration, watercourse revival and rainwater harvesting projects.
Addressing a press conference after participating in a discussion on an education-related resolution in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Cheema said the government is working to reverse decades of groundwater depletion through a comprehensive water conservation strategy.
Highlighting the impact of the canal revival programme, Cheema said around 16,000 kilometres of watercourses are being restored and revived across Punjab, while nearly 39,049 cusecs of canal water is being released to ensure supply reaches the fields of farmers, including those located at the tail-end areas.
He said excessive groundwater extraction over the past 25-30 years had resulted in declining water tables, forcing farmers to continuously deepen tubewells and increase dependence on electricity.
“Through the revival of the canal network and improved water distribution, the state government has taken significant steps towards reducing pressure on groundwater resources,” Cheema said.
The Finance Minister claimed that these measures have resulted in groundwater levels rising by 3 to 5 metres in several blocks of the state. He added that the use of canal water has also contributed to improved agricultural productivity, with wheat and paddy yields increasing by 1 to 2 quintals per acre in several areas.
According to Cheema, increased use of canal irrigation has not only benefited farmers financially but has also reduced electricity consumption linked to groundwater pumping.
510 Groundwater Recharge Projects Implemented
Emphasising the importance of rainwater conservation, Cheema said the government has implemented 510 groundwater recharge schemes across Punjab.
These include 192 pond-based recharge projects and 246 canal-based recharge schemes, aimed at improving groundwater replenishment and ensuring sustainable water management.
He added that municipal committees in several cities have made rainwater recharge wells mandatory for approval of new building plans to ensure that rainwater is effectively channelled back into the ground.
Cheema said the state government’s water conservation initiatives are aimed at securing Punjab’s water future and protecting the interests of future generations.
He stated that the government is following the vision of Punjab’s Gurus by treating water as a valuable resource essential not only for agriculture but for the entire ecosystem.
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