The Punjab government has recently highlighted canal water expansion, but ground data presents a mixed picture. While some regions have received canal water after long gaps, several areas still report either 0% supply or complete disruption compared to past availability due to poor canal management.
A canal project constructed near the Ghaggar River and Chhatbir Zoo was designed to irrigate approximately 40,000 acres in the Banur region. However, due to the absence of essential distribution infrastructure such as moghas, khals, and minors, the system remains partially non-functional. In multiple locations, farmers continue to rely on groundwater pumping, increasing input costs similar to areas dependent on the Sirhind Feeder.
In Patran, the Karamgarh branch has reportedly delivered 0 water supply for nearly 40 years. In Amritsar district, farmers from Malanwali village have reported no canal water for approximately 50 years, leading to legal intervention through the High Court.
Official figures released by Bhagwant Mann state that 59% of cultivable land is currently receiving canal water, with a target to increase coverage to 70% during the paddy sowing season. In contrast, data shared by the canal patwaris’ association indicates that actual coverage remains at only 20–21%. Additionally, reports suggest that over 200 canal patwaris have been chargesheeted amid allegations of discrepancies in reporting irrigation coverage.
Groundwater dependency continues to rise in multiple districts. In Sangrur, significant portions have been classified under the dark zone category (over-exploited groundwater), yet canal supply remains limited. Similar conditions persist in Barnala, where canal infrastructure is reported to be non-operational or underperforming, resulting in negligible contribution to irrigation needs.
Punjab’s total water demand has increased substantially compared to the period when inter-state water allocations were originally determined. Despite this, the effective availability of canal water remains insufficient relative to agricultural demand. Concerns over water sharing have also intensified, with arguments that states like Haryana and Rajasthan continue to draw water despite being classified as non-riparian in certain claims.
A recent intervention by Misl Satluj has given the state government a 3-month timeline to address the water crisis. Among the recommendations is the passage of a resolution asserting Punjab’s control over its river waters and reassessment of previous inter-state agreements.
Overall, the data highlights a significant gap between claimed coverage (59–70%) and reported ground reality (20–21%), alongside long-term disruptions ranging from 40 to 50 years in specific canal branches. With irrigation demand rising and groundwater depletion accelerating, the urgency to upgrade canal infrastructure and ensure full-capacity utilization remains critical.