New Delhi, Feb. 26 -- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Wednesday inaugurated the first phase of the reconstruction and relining of the Ferozepur Feeder Canal, a Rs.180-crore irrigation infrastructure project aimed at expanding canal water coverage and reducing dependence on groundwater in the Malwa region.

The project has increased the canal's capacity from 11,192 cusecs to 13,873 cusecs, improving water availability for agriculture across Ferozepur, Faridkot, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Fazilka districts. The canal draws water from the Harike Headworks and now serves 14 blocks, covering nearly 6.45 lakh hectares of farmland.

Mann said the relining was executed in "war mode", with 15 km of canal lining completed in 35 days by more...