Delhi government plans to cover Munak Canal with solar panels

Time of India

06-07-2025

New Delhi: Delhi govt is planning to cover the Munak Canal with solar panels. This initiative, currently at the planning and feasibility assessment stage, aims to curb massive water losses, generate clean electricity, and enhance safety and cleanliness along the canal, said a senior official.
Water minister Parvesh Verma inspected the Munak Canal last week and reviewed conditions on-site along with senior officials. Based on the findings, a comprehensive plan is being developed to install solar panels across the Delhi stretch of the Munak Canal by constructing four-foot-high walls on both sides, over which the panels will be mounted, he said.
"The Munak Canal is a lifeline for Delhi's water supply. But in its current form, it is also a major source of loss, pollution and risk.
Our plan to cover it with solar panels will help us save water, produce clean power, and make the canal safer and more secure for the people of Delhi," Verma said.
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"This initiative is not just about saving water. It's about protecting lives, generating clean energy, and making Delhi's water infrastructure smarter and safer. We are committed to adopting innovative solutions that serve our people and protect our resources for generations to come," he said.
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The planning and feasibility studies are on. A detailed project report (DPR) and technical design are expected to be finalised in the coming months, he said.
Officials said that inspections revealed alarming levels of water loss in the canal. Two of its main sections — the Delhi Sub-Branch (DSB) and the Carrier Lined Channel (CLC) — have significant leakage and inefficiency.
He said that DSB reported nearly 30% water loss from seepage and evaporation, and CLC has seen 5% water loss, still substantial in absolute terms.
Beyond water loss, the Munak Canal also faces persistent issues of garbage dumping and accidental drownings. Open and unguarded stretches of the canal pose a danger to both residents and passersby, he said.
The proposed plan includes building four-foot walls on both sides of the canal within Delhi territory and mounting solar panels over the top to completely cover it. This will serve multiple purposes like reducing evaporation and water loss by cutting direct sun exposure.
It will also generate renewable energy to power canal-related infrastructure and feed into the grid. This will improve safety by preventing accidental falls and deterring unauthorised access and enhance cleanliness, minimising garbage dumping and contamination.
The Munak Canal system is 102-km-long, out of which about 85km is in Haryana, and about 17km is in Delhi.
Delhi govt is currently engaging with Haryana govt to strengthen coordination regarding the maintenance and management of the canal system, particularly for the Delhi segment, another official said.
The concept is inspired by a similar successful project in Gujarat, where solar panels have been installed over canal systems to efficiently utilise space, prevent evaporation, and generate clean power, he said.
Delhi aims to replicate and adapt this model to suit local conditions and contribute meaningfully to both water security and the capital's clean energy goals, he said.