Amritsar, December 25: Punjab Water Conservation Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal announced the state government’s progress on water conservation initiatives aimed at improving irrigation and preserving groundwater. Two NABARD-funded projects worth ₹277.57 crore will extend irrigation facilities to over 40,000 hectares, strengthening Punjab’s irrigation infrastructure.
The minister detailed that the state is promoting alternative surface water sources through 18 projects using 67 MLD of treated water from sewage plants to irrigate 2,233 hectares, supported by investments exceeding ₹50 crore. Additionally, 860 km of underground pipelines have been installed, benefiting 10,841 hectares, with subsidies of 90% for farmer groups and 50% for individual farmers.
Drip and sprinkler irrigation systems have been introduced across 1,874 hectares under a similar 90% subsidy scheme, while solar-lift irrigation projects in 27 villages use rural pond water to reduce groundwater depletion.
In the Kandi region, the state constructed 42 water-harvesting and recharge structures, mitigating floods and preventing soil erosion. Goyal noted these initiatives align with the government’s 2024 mission of enhancing agricultural productivity while maximizing the use of surface water and improving environmental sustainability.