Punjab expands canal network, claims sharp rise in irrigation coverage

The Punjab government has reported a significant expansion in canal irrigation coverage, stating that the share of farmland served by canals has risen from about 26 per cent in 2022 to nearly 78 per cent in 2026. The increase follows a multi-year effort to restore and modernise the state’s canal network.

Officials said investments of around ₹6,700 crore have gone into desilting, lining and reviving nearly 13,000 km of canals. The objective has been to reduce dependence on groundwater, a long-standing concern in a state facing declining water tables due to intensive agriculture.

The claimed gains, if sustained, could ease pressure on aquifers and improve water distribution across districts. At the same time, the figures are likely to be closely examined for consistency on the ground, particularly in terms of actual water flow, maintenance of revived canals and equitable access for farmers across regions.