General Secretary and Media In-Charge, ‘AAP’ Punjab NEW DELHI: Punjab’s groundwater crisis is showing signs of improvement, with the latest assessment indicating a decline in groundwater extraction and an increase in canal-water utilisation, AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu said on Monday.Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh earlier today, Pannu attributed the improvement to the Bhagwant Mann government’s efforts to strengthen canal infrastructure, increase the use of canal water and reduce dependence on groundwater.Pannu said canal-water utilisation has risen to around 80-82% from roughly 21% in 2022. He said the government had activated 14,100 watercourses, restored more than 400 km of defunct canals and concretised over 1,000 km of canals. Recharge points have also been developed along repaired canal infrastructure, he said.According to Pannu, Punjab’s stage of groundwater extraction declined from 163.80% in 2021-22 to 156.36% in 2025 and 152.22% in 2025-26. Annual groundwater extraction also fell from around 28.01 billion cubic metres to 26.32 billion cubic metres.Join conversationView All Comments →Share your thoughts in the commentsInsightfulAgreeDisagreeSkepticalConcerningPromisingWorth ReadingBig DevelopmentPost CommentBe respectful · TOI community guidelines95 dark-zone blocks show improvementPannu said the latest assessment showed improvement in 95 of Punjab’s 153 dark-zone blocks, while the number of critical blocks fell from 10 to six. Four blocks — Arniwala in Fazilka, Makhu in Ferozepur, Hajipur in Hoshiarpur and Narot Jaimal Singh in Pathankot — have moved into the safe category, he said.Another 14 blocks have recorded significant improvement, according to Pannu.Pannu said total annual groundwater recharge has increased to 19.14 billion cubic metres, including 5.53 billion cubic metres from rainfall and 5.5 billion cubic metres through canal water. Canal-water recharge increased from 4.5 billion cubic metres last year to 5.5 billion cubic metres this year, he said.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosAkhilesh Yadav’s Big Attack On UP Govt; Divya Mittal Resignation & Meerut Custody RowIndus Waters Row: India Rejects Hague Court’s Jurisdiction, Says Treaty Suspension Will Continue’Dumped 40 KM Away In Delhi’: Teen Allegedly Gang-Raped In Empty Sleeper Bus, Two Accused ArrestedLVM3 Tech Transfer: Adani, Mahindra Among Firms Eyeing ISRO’s ‘Bahubali’ RocketPM Modi Meets Pezeshkian In Bishkek, Reiterates ‘Friendship With Iran’ Amid West Asia Conflict‘Babur’s Country Honoured Modi’: Owaisi Takes Dig At BJP, RSS As PM Gets Uzbekistan’s Top Award’One May Call Bharat Superpower But…’: RSS Chief Bhagwat’s ‘Vishwaguru’ Msg In Canada‘Islam Is Greater Than Other Dharams’: Karnataka Minister Sparks Row, BJP Calls Cong ‘Anti-Hindu’FIR Against Rahul Gandhi Under SC/ST Act For ‘Giving Caste Angle’ In Haldwani ‘Purification’ RowFor Every Rs 100 Laundered, Only Re 1 Is Recovered By Authorities: CJI Surya Kant At Cambridge123Hot PicksNepal floodMumbai port fireGandak riverMumbai milk priceDelhi rapeWeather tomorrowTN milk price hikeGATE 2027 registrationIndia GDP growthTop TrendingCanyon Flash FloodStuart BroadBabaz AzamNovak DjokovicUS Iran WarTravis Kelce BusinessKai CenatCoco GauffsNaomi OsakaLebron James
NEW DELHI: Punjab’s groundwater crisis is showing signs of improvement, with the latest assessment indicating a decline in groundwater extraction and an increase in canal-water utilisation, AAP Punjab media in-charge Baltej Pannu said on Monday.Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh earlier today, Pannu attributed the improvement to the Bhagwant Mann government’s efforts to strengthen canal infrastructure, increase the use of canal water and reduce dependence on groundwater.Pannu said canal-water utilisation has risen to around 80-82% from roughly 21% in 2022. He said the government had activated 14,100 watercourses, restored more than 400 km of defunct canals and concretised over 1,000 km of canals. Recharge points have also been developed along repaired canal infrastructure, he said.According to Pannu, Punjab’s stage of groundwater extraction declined from 163.80% in 2021-22 to 156.36% in 2025 and 152.22% in 2025-26. Annual groundwater extraction also fell from around 28.01 billion cubic metres to 26.32 billion cubic metres.
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95 dark-zone blocks show improvementPannu said the latest assessment showed improvement in 95 of Punjab’s 153 dark-zone blocks, while the number of critical blocks fell from 10 to six. Four blocks — Arniwala in Fazilka, Makhu in Ferozepur, Hajipur in Hoshiarpur and Narot Jaimal Singh in Pathankot — have moved into the safe category, he said.Another 14 blocks have recorded significant improvement, according to Pannu.Pannu said total annual groundwater recharge has increased to 19.14 billion cubic metres, including 5.53 billion cubic metres from rainfall and 5.5 billion cubic metres through canal water. Canal-water recharge increased from 4.5 billion cubic metres last year to 5.5 billion cubic metres this year, he said.
