The World Bank has approved technical and financial assistance of ₹25,700 crore under the ‘Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Project’, intending to make the state self-reliant in the water sector.
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who was chairing a meeting of officials on the Jal Sanrakshit Haryana programme, said the funds will be disbursed in a phased manner over 2026 to 2032. The funds will be utilised for large-scale works in the canal sector. According to an official statement, Saini said that out of a total of 1,570 canals in the state, 892 canals have been restored over the past 20 years & the restoration of the remaining 678 canals is proposed to be completed in the next five years. This includes restoration of 115 canals for ₹22,325 crores with World Bank financial assistance, 284 canals at ₹22,230 crores from the state budget & 279 canals at ₹22,880 crores through NABARD.
The Chief Minister said that out of 15,562 minor canals under the Micro Irrigation & Command Area Development Authority, as many as 4,487 minor canals have been restored over the past 20 years, and the remaining 1,961 minor canals are proposed to be restored over the next five years. This includes 400 minor canals at ₹450 crores with World Bank assistance, 1,500 minor canals at ₹1,250 crores from the state budget, and 61 minor canals at ₹402 crores through NABARD. In addition, with World Bank support of ₹2,900 crore, micro-irrigation systems will be implemented over approximately 70,000 acres of agricultural land.
The Agriculture Department will develop tube-well-based drainage & surface drainage systems to resolve waterlogging in the remaining waterlogged areas of the state, covering approximately 2,00,000 acres of land. Further, sustainable & water-conservation-based agriculture will be promoted through crop diversification, direct seeding of rice & other measures, with World Bank financial assistance of approximately ₹2,886 crore. To strengthen groundwater recharge, Saini said about 80 water bodies will be constructed in various districts of southern Haryana. In addition, treated water from four major sewage treatment plants located in Jind, Kaithal & Gurugram will be reused to ensure irrigation for approximately 28,000 acres of agricultural land, with World Bank financial assistance of about ₹600 crores.
Saini said the World Bank described the ‘Jal Sanrakshit Haryana’ programme as a “paradigm shift” in the state’s water management approach. On completion of this project, all canals in Haryana will be restored, making them the most modern and well-restored canals in the country.
The Chief Minister said that on completion of this project, the entire canal network of the state will be fully lined and will function effectively for the next 25 years. Additionally, irrigation facilities will become available on 2 lakh acres of additional land & farmers will also get relief from the problem of waterlogging.
