# Punjab Claims Groundwater Recovery After Canal Revival Drive 2026-08-07T05:41:47+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the State has begun reversing decades of groundwater depletion through canal revival, watercourse restoration and recharge projects. The Hindu reported that 16,000 kilometres of watercourses have been laid or revived, while about 39,049 cusecs of canal water is being released. Cheema said groundwater levels have risen by 3 to 5 metres in several blocks. The minister also claimed wheat and paddy yields have increased by 1 to 2 quintals per acre, while canal irrigation has reduced pressure on electricity use and tubewells. The government has made rainwater recharge wells mandatory for new building plans in several cities. It has approved 510 recharge schemes, including 192 pond-based and 246 canal-based projects. ## Coverage - thehindu.com Tags: agriculture, canal irrigation, groundwater, Punjab, water recharge Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/punjab-claims-groundwater-recovery-after-canal-revival-drive/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/punjab-claims-groundwater-recovery-after-canal-revival-drive/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.