DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

Punjab Soil & Water Conservation and Water Resources Minister S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra, on Wednesday, said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government is taking bold initiatives to fully meet the demand of canal water for irrigation besides combating water scarcity and boosting sustainable agriculture in the state.

Chetan Singh Jouramajra said that to ensure irrigation water reaches tail-end farms, the Soil and Water Conservation department has laid 2,400 km of underground pipelines, which is benefiting 30,282 hectares in the state. This initiative is backed by a 90% subsidy for farmer groups and a 50% subsidy for individual farmers. In a push for water-efficient farming, approximately 6,000 hectares have been brought under drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, with subsidies up to 90%," said the Cabinet Minister.

He said that the Mann government has already restored 15,914 water courses up to the tail end, marking a crucial milestone in the water distribution system. In a remarkable development, water has flowed through 20 canals for the first time in four decades, revitalizing 916 minors and water courses. Some areas are receiving water after a 35-40 year dry spell, breathing new life into long-parched land, he added.

Addressing the pressing issue of groundwater depletion in Punjab, with 114 out of 150 blocks declared over-exploited, S. Chetan Singh Jouramajra outlined the government's multi-pronged approach, stating that the state government has launched several initiatives aimed at judicious use of surface and sub-surface water resources, supported by new schemes, increased budget allocations and timely fund releases.

Jouramajra said that to promote alternate surface water use, 28 underground pipeline based irrigation projects initiated for use of 300 MLD (Million Liter per Day) treated water from sewerage treatment. He said that this move is promoting the use of alternate surface water sources. Besides this, Solar-Lift Irrigation projects have been initiated in 125 villages to utilize pond water for irrigation, reducing reliance on groundwater.

He said that in the sub-mountainous Kandi area, 160 water harvesting-cum-recharging structures and check dams have been constructed to conserve rainwater, prevent soil erosion and mitigate flash floods. The government has also kickstarted two NABARD-funded projects worth Rs. 277.57 crore to expand underground pipeline irrigation networks, benefiting over 40,000 hectares.

Jouramajra informed that for first time dedicated programmes have been initiated in the state for maximizing surface water use from canals and village ponds, Check Dam construction, Soil/Land Protection & Flood Proofing, Roof-top Rainwater Recharging, saying that these initiatives are designed to directly benefit the farming community across Punjab.
(editor@dailyworld.in)