Delhi Plans Solar Panel Cover Over Munak Canal to Cut Water Loss, Boost Clean Energy

The Delhi government is planning to install solar panels over the Munak Canal as part of a sustainable infrastructure push to cut water loss, generate clean energy, and improve canal safety

Following a recent inspection by Delhi’s Water Minister Parvesh Verma, officials have begun preparing a comprehensive plan for the canal stretch that falls within the capital’s boundaries. The initiative, still in the planning and feasibility assessment stage, proposes building four-foot-high walls on both sides of the canal, upon which solar panels will be mounted to form a continuous cover.

“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,” said Verma. “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," he noted.

The inspection found alarming levels of water loss in key sections of the canal. The Delhi Sub-Branch (DSB) and the Carrier Lined Channel (CLC), two major arteries within the system, are reportedly losing nearly 30 percent of their water to seepage and evaporation. The CLC alone accounted for a 5 percent water loss, which remains significant in real volume terms.

Beyond inefficiencies, the canal has also become a site of repeated garbage dumping and accidental drownings, due to long stretches that remain exposed and unprotected. The new proposal aims to address these issues holistically.

If implemented, the solar panel cover would serve multiple purposes such as reduce water loss by limiting direct exposure to sunlight and minimising evaporation, generate clean energy to power water infrastructure or feed into the grid and improve safety by preventing accidental falls and discouraging trespassing.

Further, it would  enhance cleanliness by reducing the canal’s exposure to airborne debris and dumping. Stretching over 102 km in total, the Munak Canal includes about 17 km within Delhi and the rest in Haryana. Delhi authorities are also in talks with the Haryana government to strengthen inter-state cooperation in the canal’s management, especially for the segments critical to Delhi’s water supply.

The concept draws inspiration from Gujarat’s successful canal-top solar projects, which have demonstrated efficient use of space while simultaneously generating power and preserving water.

“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,” Verma said. “We are committed to adopting innovative solutions that serve our people and protect our resources for generations to come," he added.

A detailed project report (DPR) and technical blueprint are expected to be finalised in the coming months.