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Punjab to release 21,000 cusecs canal water for irrigation from May 1, CM Mann says
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced canal water for irrigation will be released from May 1, totaling 21,000 cusecs across the state. The move includes infrastructure to test pipelines and watercourses, direct seeding from May 15, and staggered paddy sowing across districts from June 1 to June 9, with broader groundwater recharge benefits.
Why It Matters
The decision aims to secure irrigation ahead of the paddy season, support crops beyond paddy, and promote groundwater recharge, potentially benefiting farmers in the Malwa region.
Timeline
10 Events
Zone-wise cultivation planning
April 29, 2026
Mann stated that zone-wise cultivation of paddy will be carried out with proper planning and arrangements.
Emphasis on groundwater recharge and long-term benefits
April 29, 2026
Mann highlighted groundwater recharge benefits, noting recharge points created in canals and rivers and groundwater levels rising by two to four metres.
Paddy cultivation begins in remaining districts
April 29, 2026
From June 9 it will begin in Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Mansa, Moga, Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Kapurthala, Jalandhar and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar.
Paddy cultivation begins in second set of districts
April 29, 2026
From June 5, cultivation will start in Faridkot, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Fazilka.
Paddy cultivation begins in first set of districts
April 29, 2026
From June 1, paddy cultivation will begin in Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ropar, SAS Nagar, Sri Fatehgarh Sahib and Hoshiarpur.
Direct Seeding of Rice begins
April 29, 2026
Direct Seeding of Rice will begin from May 15 in all districts, with eight hours of uninterrupted power supply.
May 1 – canal water release to support irrigation
April 29, 2026
The water being released is equal to the supply of two Bhakra canals and will immensely benefit farmers, particularly in the Malwa region, for orchards and crops such as cotton, maize and fodder, as well as preparing fields for paddy.
Test release of canal water to test networks
April 29, 2026
21,000 cusecs of water will be released in these pipelines and watercourses to test them and remove any shortcomings.
Infrastructure built this season and pre-season targets
April 29, 2026
The administration stated that 14,000 kilometres of new pipelines and 4,000 kilometres of new canals have been constructed this season; 4,000 km of watercourses and 3,000 km of pipelines will be made operational before this paddy season, and full water will be released into the canals from May 1.
Groundwater recharge milestone cited
April 29, 2026
Punjab government said 21 lakh cubic metres of water has been recharged in the last one year.