Punjab’s Groundwater Extraction Falls as Mann Govt’s Canal Drive Shows Impact

The Punjab state government released recent figures indicating a measurable reduction in the volume of groundwater extracted for irrigation across the state. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which forms the ruling coalition under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, said the decline reflects the success of the administration’s push to expand canal water supply to farms, reducing reliance on tube wells. Officials noted that the canal expansion programme, launched in 2023, has increased the area under canal‑fed irrigation and is expected to improve long‑term water sustainability. The water department will continue monitoring extraction levels and plans to extend canal networks further into drought‑prone districts.