Font size:
Print
New Irrigation Canal in Water-Starved Punjab
Context:
Nearly seven decades after the construction of key irrigation canals like the Bhakra Main Line (BML), Sirhind Feeder, and Bist Doab canals, the Punjab government is proposing a new and substantial irrigation initiative.
More on News:
- The proposed Malwa Canal, spanning approximately 150 km long, in the state’s southwestern corner, at a cost of Rs 2,300 crore.
- The government is facing a serious funds crunch, and there are concerns about the project’s technical viability.
Project Overview
- Name: Malwa Canal.
- Length: 149.53 km.
- Dimensions: 50 foot wide, 12 foot deep.
- Origin: Harike Headworks on the Sutlej River, Ferozepur district.
- Termination: Warring Khera village, Muktsar district, near the Haryana border.
- Water Flow: 2,000 cusecs (A cusec is flow equivalent to 1 cubic foot per second.).
- Construction Time: Expected to take five years.
- Irrigation Coverage: 200,000 acres in seven districts.
The Need for a New Canal:
- To augment the water supply to the left side of the Rajasthan Feeder canal, the existing Sirhind Feeder cannot effectively supply, especially during the kharif paddy sowing season when water demand is high.
- The Ferozepur Feeder struggles to meet the needs of the entire state, leading to rotational canal operations and reliance on over 300 lift pumps.
Beneficiaries:
- Areas to Benefit: Abohar, Muktsar, Gidderbaha, Bathinda, Zira.
- Villages: 28 in Ferozepur, 10 in Faridkot, and 24 in Muktsar.
- Approximately 190 villages will receive continuous water supply, eliminating the need for rotation in the Ferozepur Feeder area.
- Water Allocation Improvement: Punjab currently receives 68% of its Bhakra dam allocation, compared to 125% for Rajasthan and 110-115% for Haryana.
Environmental and Social Impact:
- The region already faces severe groundwater depletion, and the introduction of a new canal could exacerbate this issue.
- The social implications, including the displacement of communities and changes in land use patterns, need thorough consideration.
