The Panjab government is undertaking major projects ranging from rebuilding critical irrigation canals to finalizing a potash mining initiative, as well as grappling with ballooning compensation demands for land acquisitions in national highway development. Emphasizing water management first, Panjab is set to invest USD 228K for reconstructing the 50-year-old Abohar Minor canal, formerly brick-lined but now switching to cement-concrete for reduced seepage. Although the canal had been closed due to earlier complications, authorities extended the shutdown to 28 Feb for thorough maintenance and cleaning. Simultaneously, a new policy awards up to 100 times the previous compensation for farmers hosting power transmission towers. Officials note these changes, including up to USD 97.2K per acre, have helped quell unrest among farmers—particularly regarding major highway expansion. Similarly, for the 38 km Ludhiana-Ropar highway being built by National Highways Authority of India, the government offered a 600% hike in land compensation. Over 125 acres of land has been acquired to revive 37 stalled highway projects in the last five months. Yet, stubble burning issues persist, which is often marked as a leading cause of Delhi’s hazardous Air Quality Index levels. The Supreme Court of India has asked the Commission for Air Quality Management to meet with Panjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh officials and finalize an action plan for managing paddy residue. Panjab’s Advocate General, Gurminder Singh, contends the state is committed to eliminating stubble burning but stresses that guaranteed Minimum Support Price for alternative crops remains crucial, urging the Food Corporation of India to pick up diverse produce so farmers feel secure pivoting away from paddy. These measures, from infrastructure upgrades and robust compensation to fertilizer self-sufficiency and stubble mitigation, are efforts the government is making to balance progressive initiatives with strong farmer-centric policies.
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