Punjab has achieved a historic milestone in canal water utilisation during 2025-26, recording its highest-ever usage and, for the first time, surpassing Haryana in the consumption of allocated canal water.
Official figures reveal that Punjab utilised 96 per cent of its allotted canal water. Comparatively, Haryana used only 76 per cent of its allocated water share, according to Punjab Water Resources Department. The annual water utilisation cycle ends on May 21.
The higher canal water utilisation comes after the Punjab Government took a firm stand last year against releasing additional water to Haryana beyond its allocated share. Previously, Haryana was consuming more than its quota of canal water.
According to official data available with The Tribune, Punjab used 6.669 million acre feet (MAF) water during 2025-26 (till May 21) against its allocated share of 6.944 MAF, marking the highest utilisation in the past decade. In comparison, Punjab used 5.845 MAF during 2024-25. Back in 2018-19, the state’s utilisation stood at only 4.841 MAF, or about 64 per cent of its share.
Officials say that Haryana adopted a more cautious approach to water consumption after Punjab refused to allow water over and above its quota. Last year, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) had proposed releasing additional 8,500 cusecs of water to Haryana, but the move could not materialise due to opposition from Punjab.
Officials in the state Water Resources department attribute Punjab’s increased canal water utilisation to extensive restoration and modernisation work carried out on canals, distributaries, and water channels that had long fallen into disrepair.
The state’s Water Resources Department focused particularly on regions where dependence on groundwater remained high and canal water usage was low. In areas such as Balachaur and Anandpur Sahib, the authorities introduced lift-pump systems to improve water delivery. The state government also began providing temporary water outlets to ensure that more canal water reached agricultural fields.
Punjab has also witnessed a sharp rise in canal water demand during the paddy season. Earlier, peak demand during the paddy cultivation period stood at around 25,000 cusecs, but since last year, it has increased to nearly 35,000 cusecs.
Officials say the state has made canal water expansion a key part of its strategy to conserve rapidly depleting groundwater reserves.
