Punjab’s Water Resources and Soil and Water Conservation Minister, Barinder Kumar Goyal, announced a significant breakthrough in the Kandi belt with the launch of a project to irrigate 4,000 acres of rainfed semi-hilly terrain. The Kathgarh Lift Irrigation Scheme, costing Rs 214 crore, will bring canal water to higher altitudes for the first time, benefiting farmers in the region.
This project marks a historic moment as canal water is now reaching higher altitude areas, ensuring irrigation for dry and rain-fed lands in the Kandi region. The scheme is expected to boost agricultural productivity, increase farmer income, and enhance the overall agrarian landscape of the area.
Minister Goyal highlighted the importance of the Kathgarh Lift Irrigation Scheme in providing irrigation to areas facing elevation challenges. The project, executed in three phases, aims to cover a total of 11,500 acres across several villages, with the first phase already completed in February 2026.
Addressing the technical aspects, Goyal explained that the scheme is connected to the Bist Doab Canal with a discharge capacity of 67 cusecs. Water will be lifted through pumps and distributed via an extensive pipeline network to agricultural fields of varying terrain types. The project is set to reduce groundwater dependency and bring long-term benefits to the region.
