Photo Source; Babushahi Bureau
65,000 acres of 55 villages in Punjab to get canal water after 50 years: Minister Barinder Goyal
Babushahi Bureau
Lehragaga, May 25, 2025: Barinder Kumar Goyal, Minister of Water Resources, inaugurated Minor No. 3, which will connect the Lehra and Shutrana constituencies to canal water.
This project was completed at a cost of ₹50 crores. The project was undertaken to fulfill the long-standing demand of the people of the area, who have been deprived of canal water for the past 50 years.
According to the Minister Goyal, the local people informed him that this minor had not seen flowing water since 1979. Prior to that, the water flow was also minimal.
Due to the neglect of previous governments, the Lehra and Shutrana constituencies had to rely on groundwater for agriculture, resulting in a significant decline in the water table.
Barinder Kumar Goyal expressed his happiness over the completion of this significant project and stated that the people's demand has finally been met after 50 years.
He said that the project, which is over 85 kilometers long, was completed in record six months, starting from December 2024. The water-carrying capacity of the minor has increased by 1.5 times, and it will benefit 65,000 acres of land in 55 villages of Lehra and Shutrana constituencies.
Addressing a gathering of farmers, Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal emphasized that every drop of Punjab's water belongs to the people of State. He alleged that the BJP-led Central Government is trying to take away Punjab's rights over its water resources.
He stated that Punjab has no conflict with Haryana or any other state, but it will not tolerate any attempt to take away its water resources by force.The Minister clarified that Punjab will provide water to Haryana as per its share, but it will not compromise on its rights.
He emphasized that the people of Punjab have united on the issue of water, and the state government will ensure that their rights are protected. He also mentioned that from May 21 onwards, a new water quota has started, and Punjab will provide water to Haryana as per its share.
The Minister thanked the officials and engineers involved in the project for their hard work and dedication. He expressed his gratitude to the Chief Minister, Bhagwant Singh Mann, for his vision to connect every field in Punjab to canal water.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several officials, including Rakesh Kumar Gupta, Assistant to the Minister; Gundeep Singh Dhaliwal, Executive Engineer; Swaran Singh, SDO; Cherry Jindal, SDO; Aman Kumar, Several farmers and local residents also attended the ceremony.