Kathgarh Lift Irrigation Scheme aims to irrigate 11,500 acres in Punjab Kandi region

Punjab Cabinet minister Barinder Kumar Goyal inaugurated the Kathgarh Lift Irrigation scheme on Thursday. Goyal said the project was meant to supply irrigation to dry, rain-fed land in Punjab’s Kandi region. The water resources minister said the scheme aimed to improve farm output and support higher incomes across the connected villages.

Representative image

The project was planned to provide irrigation to nearly 11,500 acres across 33 villages. Water was set to reach high, low and semi-hilly fields through a pipeline network. The scheme linked with the Bist Doab canal, which had a discharge capacity of 67 cusecs. Water would be lifted using pumps for onward supply.

Kathgarh Lift Irrigation scheme phases and costs

Goyal said the work was being carried out in three phases. The first phase covered 4,000 acres in 13 villages. It was completed in February 2026 at a cost of Rs 67 crore. The second phase cost Rs 107 crore. It was to cover 5,500 acres in 14 villages by September 2026.

The third phase had an outlay of Rs 40 crore. It was planned to extend irrigation to 2,000 acres in 6 villages. Goyal also said a 650 kW solar plant was installed. The solar unit was meant to reduce the electricity load linked to pumping. Officials also used existing departmental land for the pump house.

Kathgarh Lift Irrigation scheme to cut groundwater reliance

Addressing a gathering after the inauguration, Goyal stated, The Kathgarh Lift Irrigation scheme will serve as a milestone in extending irrigation to areas that remained deprived due to elevation challenges through the Kandi Canal and Bist Doab systems. The project will significantly reduce dependence on groundwater and bring long-term benefits to the region.

The minister said farmers faced deep groundwater levels and tube well failures in the Kandi belt. Goyal said this left many cultivators dependent on rainfall for crops. That situation restricted diversification and lowered yields in several locations. The semi-hilly terrain also made conventional canal irrigation difficult in earlier years.

Kathgarh Lift Irrigation scheme surveys, training and execution

Goyal said advanced satellite and drone surveys were carried out for planning. Technical staff were trained at IIT Roorkee and IIT Ropar, according to the minister. Goyal said the scheme was executed in a mission mode within six months. The minister also said no land acquisition was needed for the works.

Goyal said irrigation earlier covered 28,205 acres across 72 villages in Balachaur constituency. After the scheme, coverage was expected to rise to 39,705 acres across 105 villages. Around 94,000 kilometres of pipelines were laid, Goyal said. The network was meant to improve water delivery to fields.

Kathgarh Lift Irrigation scheme and Kandi canal upgrades

Goyal also spoke about the Kandi canal system. Goyal said it started from Talwara and ran up to Balachaur. The canal length was 129.035 km and discharge capacity was 463 cusecs, the minister said. Although the canal project began in 1980, tail-end areas did not receive water earlier.

Goyal said the AAP government ensured continuous water flow in the canal. The minister said 1,500 km of old pipelines were restored and 300 km of new pipelines were laid. Goyal added that 120 km of canals and watercourses were relined. The works benefited 1,28,740 acres across 12 blocks after three decades.

With inputs from PTI