Punjab to soon get new ‘Malwa Canal’: CM Mann announces major irrigation project

Chandigarh, March 16, 2026:Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday reiterated his government’s plan to construct the proposed Malwa Canal, describing it as a historic step to strengthen the state’s irrigation infrastructure and support farmers.

Speaking about the initiative, Mann said the government has already fulfilled most of its key guarantees in the first four years of its tenure and the coming year will focus on completing large infrastructure projects that had been pending for decades.

“Some people say we have finished our work in four years and become free, but the reality is that we are already 70–80 years late. Punjab has been waiting for these facilities for decades,” he said.

The Chief Minister stated that for the first time in Punjab’s history, a completely new canal—referred to as the Malwa Canal—is being planned to improve irrigation in the region. He added that the government aims to clear long-pending demands related to irrigation and electricity connections during the next year.

Highlighting recent improvements in irrigation management, Mann said the state government has upgraded and constructed new canal outlets across Punjab. These measures, he claimed, have significantly increased the flow of water reaching agricultural fields. According to the Chief Minister, the additional water being supplied to farms through these improved outlets is comparable to the volume carried by the Bhakra Canal.

Mann said the initiative will help farmers reduce agricultural costs while also conserving groundwater, a major concern in Punjab’s farming sector. The proposed Malwa Canal, he added, will play a key role in ensuring better water distribution and strengthening the state’s agricultural economy.