Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
MP Satnam Sandhu raises canal infrastructure issue in Parliament; Centre highlights 122 projects nationwide, major upgrades in Punjab
Babushahi Bureau
Mohali (Punjab), July 29, 2025: In response to a question raised by Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) Satnam Singh Sandhu during the on-going Monsoon session of Parliament regarding the construction, rejuvenation and repair of canal networks across India, the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti replied that with an aim to enhance physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation practices, the Union Government had launched Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) during the year 2015-16 which has two major components including Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) and Har Khet Ko Pani (HKKP).
Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Sandhu, in his question, asked in the parliament, sought information from the Union Jal Shakti Ministry’s plans for the construction of new canals across the country for the current Financial Year and beyond.
Raj Bhushan Choudhary, Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Union Jal Shakti Ministry in a written reply stated that as many as 99 ongoing Major and Medium Irrigation Projects (MMI) (in 7 phases) with balance irrigation potential of 34.64 lakh hectares have been included under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna-Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP) during 2016-17.
Similarly, as many as 11 new AIBP projects with ultimate irrigation potential of 5.60 lakh hectares have been included under PMKSY 2.0 from March 2021 onwards. Moreover, financial assistance to Renuka ji, Lakhwar and Shahpur Kandi National Projects along with 2 relining of Rajasthan Feeder and Sirhind Feeder has also been provided through PMKSY-AIBP since April 2021.
The Minister further added that a special package for completion of 8 MMI and 83 surface minor irrigation (SMI) projects of Maharashtra, having estimated balance cost of Rs 13,651.61 crore has been approved for financial assistance by the Union Government during 2018-19. As many as 3 MMI and 67 SMI projects have been completed so far.
In another question asked, MP Sandhu sought details regarding proposed new canal projects planned to pass through Punjab, whether the Union Government is considering any special schemes for the rejuvenation, deepening, demarcation, or strengthening of existing canal infrastructure in the state and details of canal rehabilitation or repair projects undertaken in Punjab during the last five years.
To which, the Jal Shakti Minister replied, there is one major multipurpose project with two components; Extension, Renovation and Modernization (ERM) project and one Command Area Development and Water Management (CAD&WM) project which are under progress in Punjab, partially funded by Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation under progress in the State of Punjab.
Elaborating on the ongoing projects for the strengthening of the canal infrastructure in the state, Choudhary said, “Union Jal Shakti Ministry under the Major Multipurpose Project (National Project) is constructing Shahpurkandi Dam Project on the Ravi River in Pathankot district of Punjab with 37,173 hectares irrigation potential out of which 5,000 hectares would be served in Punjab. The project will also help stabilization of irrigation in 1.18 lakh hectare area of Upper Bari Doab Canal (UBDC) system.”
Moreover, under Extension, Renovation and Modernization (ERM) Project, relining of Sirhind Feeder Canal is under progress which would help stabilization of irrigation in 98,739-hectare area and relining of Rajasthan Feeder Canal would be helpful in stabilization of irrigation in 69,096-hectare area. Under the Command Area Development and Water Management Project, rehabilitation of Ist Patiala Feeder and Kotla Branch Project, command area development of 142658 hectare area would be done.
“Moreover, two projects in Punjab, Kandi Canal Extension Phase-2 and Rehabilitation of Ist Patiala Feeder and Kotla Branch Project (AIBP component) with ultimate irrigation potential of 23,330 hectare and 91,990 hectares respectively have been completed under PMKSY-AIBP,” added the MoS Jal Shakti.
Sharing details regarding the works undertaken for the development of canal network in Punjab, the MoS for Jal Shakti said, “As per the information shared by Punjab government, a total of 79 canals covering 545 kms have been restored. Luthar Canal system that has 12 canals covering 213 kms along the Pakistan border has been restored, around 23 canals in Tarn Taran district have been revived, extension of existing canals such as Rohira, Kanganwal, Dehlon canals to feed new areas in Malerkotla District has been completed. The state government has initiated the process for construction of new canals in Malerkotla, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Fazilka and Muktsar districts.”
While sharing details regarding the Union Government-funded projects under PMKSY-AIBP for the construction and rejuvenation or repair of canals, Choudhary said that as many as 122 canal water development and rejuvenation projects have been undertaken by the Union Government in the last 10 years out of which 5 projects were provided financial assistance in Punjab.
The MoS Jal Shakti stated that the Union Government has extended full support to carry out these developmental works for the strengthening of canal network system in the country and Punjab in the form of technical support and partial financial assistance for completed or identified projects under ongoing schemes.