Minister Barinder Goyal inaugurates Rs 14-crore irrigation project to provide canal water to 4,890 acres across 55 Banga villages
Babushahi Bureau
Banga (Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar), August 26, 2026: Punjab Water Resources Minister Brinder Kumar Goyal on Wednesday inaugurated a Rs 14.01-crore irrigation project aimed at extending canal water to farmers in 55 villages of the Banga Assembly constituency, with 4,890.91 acres receiving canal irrigation for the first time.
Accompanied by Banga MLA Dr Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi, Goyal said the project was a major step towards ensuring that canal water reaches the tail ends of agricultural fields while reducing dependence on groundwater.
The project has been executed by the Canal Administration and Punjab Water Resources Management and Development Corporation (PWRMDC) under the Bist Doab Canal and Ground Water Division, Jalandhar.
According to the minister, the project includes the construction of 46 pucca watercourses covering 79.52 kilometres and the laying of 14 underground pipelines. Farmers across 55 villages will benefit directly from the new irrigation infrastructure.
Before the project, around 3,880 acres in the area were receiving canal irrigation. With the completion of the project, the canal-irrigated area has increased to 8,770.91 acres, bringing an additional 4,890.91 acres under canal irrigation for the first time.
Focus on Groundwater Conservation
Goyal said the project also incorporates measures aimed at groundwater recharge. A recharge scheme at the tail end of Kangror Minor, along with a new pond at the Banga Rest House, will facilitate the recharge of around 267 cubic metres of water into the ground.
He said more than 22 villages have also been provided temporary outlets from distributaries, taking the overall irrigation coverage through canal water in Banga to 6,053.42 acres.
The minister said the state government has invested around Rs 7,500 crore to improve the utilisation of river water for irrigation across Punjab. The initiative, he said, is intended not only to provide reliable canal irrigation to farmers but also to reduce the extraction of groundwater and conserve electricity and other agricultural resources.
Goyal said more than 39,000 cusecs of water are currently flowing through 1,117 minors and distributaries across the state, which he described as a record increase in canal water availability.
He said ensuring that canal water reaches agricultural fields, particularly the tail ends of irrigation networks, remains a key priority of the government.
MLA Thanks Government for Project
Banga MLA Dr Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi welcomed the project and thanked the Water Resources Minister for extending the irrigation infrastructure to the constituency.
Sukhi said the project would provide substantial relief to farmers in the 55 villages covered by the initiative. He added that several development projects were being taken up across the state and claimed that there was no shortage of funds for development works under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
The villages covered under the project include Anokharwal, Bahrowal, Bajon, Bakhlor, Balakipur, Banga, Behram, Bharoli, Bir Alarwal, Bisla, Chahal Kalan, Chak Bilga, Chak Guru, Cheta, Farala, Gadani, Garhi Ajit Singh, Gehal Mazari, Gosal, Gunachaur, Hapowal, Hion, Jandiala, Kaleran, Jhander Kalan, Jhander Khurd, Kahma, Kajla, Kamam, Kangror, Kariha, Khamachon, Khatkar Khurd, Kultham, Ladian, Katarian, Lakhpur, Langeri, Mafialarwal, Mehal Gehlan, Maksoodpur, Malla Bedian, Malupota, Manguwal, Mehiliana, Mukandpur, Moolpur, Raitanda, Sall Kalan, Sall Khurd, Sandhwan, Sarhala Ranuan, Sundh, Surapur Theh and Thandian.
The project is expected to strengthen canal-based irrigation in the constituency while helping reduce pressure on groundwater resources.