Punjab’s Malwa Canal project stalled as High Court halts land acquisition

The Punjab government's ambitious Malwa Canal project, a 149-kilometer irrigation initiative aimed at addressing water scarcity in southwestern Punjab, has encountered a significant setback following a ruling by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The court has temporarily halted all land acquisition proceedings until the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report is finalized.

This decision came in response to a petition filed by 273 landowners from Muktsar, Faridkot, and Ferozepur districts who contested the land acquisition for the canal. In its ruling, the court expressed concerns over the purity of water to be released in the canal, noting that the state had not clarified whether the water would be suitable for human consumption.

During the court proceedings, the bench questioned the state officials about the potential environmental impact, particularly the source of water for the canal which would originate from the Harike Barrage at the confluence of the Sutlej and Beas rivers, a point known for its water pollution due to the presence of Buddha Nallah.

Despite assurances from the state and officials that the EIA report was not yet finalized, the court maintained that no land could be dispossessed or any award passed regarding the Malwa Canal project until the EIA was completed. Farmer Jasdev Singh Sidhu, who filed the petition, welcomed the court's decision, expressing relief for fellow farmers.

The landowners' case, represented by senior advocates Inder Pal Singh Doabia, Sanjay Roy, and G S Doabia, highlights the villagers' apprehensions over the project's environmental impact and the water quality guarantees, particularly concerning the canal's source from a polluted area.