Stretching approximately 200 km, the canal will be 50 feet wide and 12.5 feet deep, with a capacity to carry 18,000 cusecs of water.

Chandigarh: The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has begun the construction of a canal in the state for the first time since India's independence. The new Malwa Canal, which will be built at a cost of Rs 2,300 crore, aims to address water shortages for agriculture in five districts: Ferozepur, Faridkot, Muktsar, Bathinda, and surrounding areas. This canal will provide water to over two lakh acres across 62 villages, helping to conserve precious underground water resources. The Malwa Canal is expected to be a significant boon for farmers in the region for generations to come.

Stretching approximately 200 kilometers, the canal will be 50 feet wide and 12.5 feet deep, with a capacity to carry 18,000 cusecs of water. It will feature 500 moghas, and upon completion, it will provide substantial relief for crops and agricultural activities. The Malwa Canal will run parallel to the Sirhind Feeder Canal and Rajasthan Canal, serving as the third Malwa Canal in the area.

Following an inspection of the land for the canal with canal department officials, instructions have been issued to accelerate construction efforts to ensure timely project completion. Notably, some areas on the upstream side of the Sirhind Feeder Canal currently rely on lift pumps for irrigation. The construction of the Malwa Canal is expected to alleviate some of the load from the Sirhind Feeder Canal.

There is palpable excitement among farmers in the rural constituency regarding the Malwa Canal's construction, with many expressing hope for its swift completion. Additionally, the Punjab government has initiated plans for the Dasmesh Canal to address water shortages in Rupnagar, Patiala, and Mohali districts. The Water Resources Department has requested land records for 58 villages in these areas, and canal patwaris have been assigned the task of gathering the necessary records.