Chandigarh, June 20— In a decisive move to combat Punjab’s deepening groundwater crisis, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has approved a 14-point action plan under the Integrated State Water Plan. The strategy seeks to reduce the state’s over-reliance on groundwater and promote the use of canal and surface water for agriculture and other needs.
Chairing a high-level meeting with the Water Resources Department, Mann described the plan as a comprehensive initiative developed in collaboration with key departments and experts. “Out of 153 blocks, 115 are already over-exploited. This is a crisis we can no longer ignore,” the Chief Minister said.
The CM raised alarm over the annual depletion of the water table by an average of 0.7 metres due to the extraction of 5.2 billion cubic metres of groundwater. “To address this, we must reduce demand, especially in agriculture, improve irrigation methods, and focus on groundwater replenishment and artificial recharge,” he said.
Mann emphasized the need to explore alternative and sustainable water sources, including deep aquifers and greater use of surface water.
The plan includes initiatives to bring nearly 15.8 lakh hectares under water-efficient irrigation techniques such as drip and sprinkler systems. “These modern methods will not only conserve water but also boost efficiency and productivity,” Mann added.
He also highlighted the government’s previous efforts, including the restoration of over 17,000 abandoned water courses covering around 6,300 km, and 79 canals spanning 545 km, many of which had been non-functional for 30 to 40 years.
The Integrated State Water Plan will serve as a roadmap for long-term water security in Punjab, aiming to reverse decades of groundwater overuse and modernize the state’s irrigation infrastructure.
