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Punjab Chief Minister Shri Bhagwant Mann inaugurated the Shahpur Kandi project earlier this week, aiming to strengthen the state's power generation and irrigation infrastructure. Built at a cost of around INR 3,394.49 crore, with Punjab contributing the major share and the remainder funded by the Centre, the project will benefit large tracts of farmland in the Majha region while creating employment opportunities. The dam will also support optimal use of water from the Ranjit Sagar dam and help prevent wastage flowing into Pakistan.
Punjab Chief Minister Shri Bhagwant Mann inaugurated the Shahpur Kandi project earlier this week in Pathankot, marking a significant milestone in the state's infrastructure and agricultural development. He stated that Punjab, being predominantly an agrarian state, would benefit greatly from the project as it would not only enhance power generation but also expand irrigation facilities for farmers. The Chief Minister further noted that the project would generate substantial employment opportunities for local youth. Advertisement
According to an official statement quoting Mann, the Shahpur Kandi dam would serve as the lifeline of Punjab, particularly for the Majha region. The project, estimated at a total cost of INR 3,394.49 crore, is being primarily financed by the Punjab government with a contribution of INR 2,694.02 crore, while the central government is providing INR 700.45 crore.
A total of 3,171.72 acres of land has been acquired for the development, with 1,643.77 acres located in Punjab and 1,527.95 acres in Jammu and Kashmir. Discussing its irrigation potential, Mann mentioned that the dam would supply irrigation to 5,000 hectares (approximately 12,500 acres) of agricultural land across Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, and other parts of the Majha region. Additionally, it would ensure a steady irrigation supply to 1.18 lakh hectares of land under the Upper Bari Doab Canal system.
Before the dam's construction, the Ranjit Sagar power house was unable to function at its full capacity of 600 MW during peak hours due to the absence of a downstream reservoir, which caused excess water to flow unused into Pakistan. Mann pointed out that, with the commissioning of the Shahpur Kandi dam, water released from the Ranjit Sagar dam would now be stored efficiently in the new reservoir, allowing optimal energy production and reliable irrigation.
The dam, standing 55.5 metres high, includes a 7.7-kilometre hydel channel. Two powerhouses with a combined capacity of 206 MW are under construction, with nearly 75 per cent of the work already completed. The Chief Minister noted that the project would become fully operational by March 2026, when power generation would commence. Additionally, three new canals connected to the dam are in their final stages of completion.
Mann also highlighted that a large lake created upstream of the dam would be developed as a key tourist attraction in Punjab. He mentioned that the Shahpur Kandi dam, along with the Ranjit Sagar dam and Chamrod, would be transformed into a world-class tourism hub promoting water sports across North India. Several companies have already expressed interest in developing tourism projects in the area, and discussions are currently underway.
The Shahpur Kandi project represents a significant leap towards bolstering Punjab's irrigation and power infrastructure, with extensive benefits for the state's agrarian economy and employment landscape. By utilising water resources more efficiently and supporting renewable energy generation, the dam is expected to revitalise farming in the Majha region and stimulate tourism. Once operational, it will stand as a model of integrated development combining agriculture, energy, and tourism in northern India.
Source - PTI
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