Every Drop Will Reach the Fields! Bhagwant Mann’s Water Revolution Brings a Shower of Hope to Punjab

In a historic move, the Punjab government has approved its first-ever Integrated State Water Plan aimed at reviving groundwater, managing floods, and promoting sustainable irrigation. The initiative, backed by a 14-point action agenda, could reshape Punjab’s water landscape.

CM Mann Approves 14-Point Plan Amid Groundwater Crisis

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has greenlit a comprehensive 14-point Integrated State Water Plan to address the deepening water crisis. Chairing a meeting of the Water Resources Department, he emphasised that 115 of 153 blocks in the state are over-exploiting groundwater. The state withdraws approximately 5.2 billion cubic meters of groundwater annually, leading to an average depletion rate of 0.7 meters per year. The Chief Minister warned that such figures demand urgent intervention focused on conservation, surface water utilisation, and groundwater recharge.

A Shift Toward Smarter, Sustainable Irrigation

As part of the plan, 1.58 million hectares of agricultural land will transition to water-saving technologies such as drip and sprinkler irrigation. The strategy also prioritises using pipelines instead of open channels where feasible. In a bid to optimise surface water use, the government is reviving over 63,000 km of canals and has already restored 79 major channels stretching 545 km—some lying defunct for over 40 years.

From Canals to Fields: Surface Water to Play a Lead Role

Surface water will be redirected into nearby ponds from canals and distributaries, enabling lift irrigation systems to deliver water directly to farms. To support this, check dams and new pond systems will be developed. The state also plans to form Water User Associations to manage and monitor water usage at the grassroots level. These groups will ensure canal cleaning, prevent wastage, and even allocate surface water to industries to reduce pressure on groundwater.

Groundwater Mapping, Flood Control Get Sharp Focus

Highlighting the unknowns in groundwater levels and recharge capacity, the plan includes basin-based segmentation of Punjab for better micro-level planning. Special attention will be paid to flood-prone areas like southwestern Punjab and water-scarce zones such as the Kandi region. Initiatives like flood modelling, bamboo planting, vetiver grass, and micro-dam construction are proposed to control runoffs and redirect floodwaters toward agriculture.

CSR Participation, Clean Energy, and Micro-Irrigation Boost

The government aims to rope in private entities under CSR mandates to finance micro-irrigation infrastructure, solar-powered lift systems, and underground pipe networks. Treated sewage water will also be utilised for irrigation purposes. A public awareness campaign involving schools, NGOs, and social media is also in the works to promote water conservation among citizens, especially farmers and youth.

A Push for Crop Diversification and Long-Term Change

Finally, the plan stresses shifting away from water-intensive crops like paddy to alternatives like maize, basmati rice, and cotton. By encouraging crop diversification and controlling groundwater demand for agriculture, Punjab hopes to secure every drop for future generations.