Punjab says canal revival helped raise groundwater levels by up to 5 metres

Chandigarh, August 6: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday said the state government has made significant progress in reversing the decades-long decline of Punjab's groundwater table through large-scale canal restoration and groundwater recharge initiatives.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Cheema said that continuous extraction over the past 25 to 30 years had caused groundwater levels to plummet, forcing farmers to deepen tubewells and increase electricity consumption. To counter this, the government undertook a major mission to restore the canal network, he said.

"By laying and reviving 16,000 kilometres of watercourses and releasing around 39,049 cusecs of water into canals, the state government has successfully ensured that canal water reaches the tail-end of every farmer's field," Mr. Cheema said.

The Minister claimed that this effort has yielded measurable results, with groundwater levels rising by 3 to 5 metres in several blocks across the state. He added that the use of mineral-rich canal water instead of excessive groundwater extraction has boosted wheat and paddy yields by 1 to 2 quintals per acre, directly increasing farmers' incomes while reducing power consumption.

In a bid to strengthen groundwater recharge, municipal committees in various cities have made rainwater recharge wells mandatory for approval of new building plans. "To ensure rainwater is effectively channelled back into the earth rather than running off wastefully, the state government has also granted administrative approval to numerous groundwater recharge schemes," Mr. Cheema said.

He said a total of 510 recharge schemes have been implemented, including 192 pond-based and 246 canal-based schemes.

The issue of groundwater depletion in Punjab is long-standing. The state has been a major contributor to India's food security, but intensive cultivation of water-guzzling crops like paddy has led to over-extraction. According to central groundwater authorities, a large part of Punjab falls under the 'over-exploited' category, with water tables declining at alarming rates.

While the government's claims indicate a positive trend, experts have previously emphasised the need for sustainable agricultural practices and crop diversification to address the root cause of groundwater depletion. The government's initiatives are aimed at supplementing these efforts, though the long-term impact remains to be fully assessed.

The Finance Minister's statement comes ahead of the state's upcoming budget session, where water management and agriculture are expected to be key topics.