Chandigarh, April 29: The Punjab government has announced that canal water supply for the agricultural sector will commence on May 1st, a full month earlier than the traditional schedule. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann affirmed the decision following a high-level meeting with senior officials, stating that the early release is designed to assist farmers with crop preparation ahead of the paddy season.
The strategy aims to mitigate the depletion of Punjab’s ground water by providing an alternative irrigation source during the crucial pre-sowing period. Previously, canal water was made available starting June 1st. Officials stated that the Water Resources Department has recently completed significant infrastructure projects, including more than 4,000 kilometers of canals and 3,000 kilometers of underground pipelines.
The Chief Minister maintained that this early supply serves a dual purpose by allowing the department to test the integrity of these new pipelines and water channels under full flow conditions. He asserted that the blueprint for this rollout also includes the release of water from the Bhakra Dam, which is expected to bolster power generation across the state.
Government sources declared that the shift in the water calendar will likely result in a noticeable decrease in electricity consumption within the agricultural sector. By utilizing canal water for early field preparation, farmers will rely less on tube wells, reducing the overall strain on the power grid.
