CHANDIGARH : Breathing new life into a historic lifeline, Punjab’s revival of the Bist Doab Canal is transforming fields, farms and futures across the Doaba region. In a major boost to the state’s irrigation network, the Bhagwant Mann Government has revitalised the canal, resulting in a remarkable 167% increase in irrigated area of the Bist Doab Canal Network during the 2025-26 agricultural year. This expansion has brought an additional 110,762 acres under canal irrigation, reinforcing the agrarian backbone of the region.
Considered the lifeline of Doaba, the canal has witnessed a significant restoration in water flow, driven by targeted interventions under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Singh Mann. These efforts have strengthened irrigation by addressing long-standing water shortages in the districts of Jalandhar, SBS Nagar, Kapurthala and parts of Hoshiarpur.
Originating from the Ropar Headworks, the canal network, including its distributaries, minors and field channels, has undergone extensive rejuvenation. This has enabled smoother and more efficient water distribution, significantly expanding the irrigated command area.
A major milestone of this revival is that nearly 19,213 acres of farmland of Bist Doab Canal Network have received canal water for the first time, marking a significant shift for farmers who previously depended on erratic groundwater and rainfall.
Improved water flow has reinforced the lift irrigation system through Kathgarh lift scheme in Balachaur region. Areas such as Banga and Mukandpur in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar and Apra, Nurmahal, Malsian, Nakodar, Adampur and Kala Sanghian in District Jalandhar have witnessed infrastructure strengthening, while restored distributaries linked to the Jalandhar branch have enhanced last-mile distribution.
The canal’s revival is now meeting urban water needs, with an additional 150 cusecs allocated to the Jalandhar branch to improve potable water supply to the city. This will help reduce the reliance of the Jalandhar Municipal Corporation on groundwater, promoting a more sustainable and dependable water supply system.
Restoration of the Bist Doab Canal reflects the Punjab Government’s commitment to modernising irrigation systems, supporting farmers and ensuring sustainable water management, while also enhancing agricultural productivity and securing a critical resource for future generations.
More than a revival, this is a transformation that restores resilience, strengthens livelihoods and shapes a sustainable future for Punjab’s agrarian landscape.