CHANDIGARH / KATHGARH : The Kathgarh Lift Irrigation Scheme has marked a historic breakthrough in Punjab’s Kandi belt, delivering canal water to previously unreachable high-altitude areas for the first time. Punjab Water Resources and Soil and Water Conservation Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal inaugurated the ₹214 crore project, highlighting the AAP government’s commitment to pro-farmer initiatives and rural development.
The Kathgarh Lift Irrigation Scheme will provide irrigation to nearly 11,500 acres across 33 villages, transforming semi-hilly, rain-dependent lands into cultivable areas. “This project is a milestone in extending irrigation to tail-end farmers and boosting agricultural productivity in the Kandi region,” said Barinder Kumar Goyal, emphasizing the project’s long-term economic and environmental benefits.
Three-Phase Execution for Maximum Reach
The Kathgarh Lift Irrigation Scheme is being executed in three phases. The first phase, covering 4,000 acres in 13 villages, has already been completed at a cost of ₹67 crore. Phase two will extend irrigation to 5,500 acres across 14 villages by September 2026, costing ₹107 crore, while the third phase, with an outlay of ₹40 crore, will serve 2,000 acres in six villages. A 650 kW solar plant has also been installed to minimize electricity costs.
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The scheme is connected to the Bist Doab Canal with a discharge capacity of 67 cusecs. Water is lifted through pumps and supplied via pipelines to high, low, and semi-hilly agricultural fields, utilizing existing departmental land for pump houses, ensuring no land acquisition was needed.
Transforming Irrigation and Agriculture in Kandi
Before the implementation of the Kathgarh Lift Irrigation Scheme, irrigation in Balachaur constituency covered 28,205 acres across 72 villages. With this project, coverage will expand to 39,705 acres across 105 villages. The Mann government has restored 1,500 km of old pipelines, laid 300 km of new pipelines, and relined 120 km of canals and watercourses, benefiting 1,28,740 acres of land across 12 blocks after three decades.
Highlighting the broader impact, Barinder Kumar Goyal noted, “While only 22% of water was earlier used for irrigation, the Mann government has increased its utilisation to 78%. Strengthening of canals has improved groundwater levels, reduced electricity consumption, and enhanced soil fertility.”
Comprehensive Welfare Alongside Irrigation
Alongside irrigation improvements, the Punjab government under CM Bhagwant Mann is fulfilling promises of free quality healthcare up to ₹10 lakh and 600 units of free electricity to households. “All guarantees made to the people are being fulfilled without discrimination,” said Barinder Kumar Goyal.
The Kathgarh Lift Irrigation Scheme represents a model for modern, technically advanced irrigation projects. Satellite and drone surveys, along with training from IIT Roorkee and IIT Ropar, helped execute the project in mission mode within six months, turning the long-neglected Kandi belt into a thriving agricultural region.
Prominent dignitaries present at the inauguration included MLA Dr. Sukhwinder Sukhi, MLA Santosh Kataria, Deputy Commissioner Gulpreet Singh Aulakh, and Additional Deputy Commissioner Balbir Raj Singh.