Chandigarh (Haryana) [India], February 12 (HBTV): The World Bank has approved technical and financial assistance in the form of a loan of INR 5,700 crore under the ‘Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Project’ to make the state self-reliant in the water sector.
The Chief Minister, who chaired a meeting of officials in Chandigarh regarding the program, said the amount will be disbursed in phases over six years from 2026 to 2032, according to a release.
The funds will be utilised for large-scale works in the canal sector. Out of 1,570 canals in the state, 892 have been restored over the past 20 years. The remaining 678 canals are proposed to be restored in the next five years. This includes restoration of 115 canals at a cost of INR 2,325 crore with World Bank assistance, 284 canals at a cost of INR 2,230 crore from the state budget, and 279 canals at a cost of INR 2,880 crore through NABARD.
The Chief Minister said that out of 15,562 canal minors under MICADA, 4,487 have been restored over the past 20 years. The remaining 1,961 minors are proposed to be restored over the next five years. This includes 400 canal minors at a cost of INR 450 crore with World Bank assistance, 1,500 minors at a cost of INR 1,250 crore from the state budget, and 61 minors at a cost of INR 402 crore through NABARD.
In addition, with World Bank support of INR 900 crore, micro-irrigation systems will be implemented over approximately 70,000 acres of agricultural land.
The Chief Minister said the Agriculture Department will develop tube-well-based drainage and surface drainage systems to address waterlogging in the remaining affected areas, covering around 2,00,000 acres of land. Sustainable and water-conservation-based agriculture will also be promoted through crop diversification, direct seeding of rice and other measures, for which the World Bank will provide financial assistance of approximately INR 886 crore.
To strengthen groundwater recharge, around 80 water bodies will be constructed in various districts of southern Haryana. Treated water from four major sewage treatment plants in Jind, Kaithal and Gurugram will be reused to provide irrigation for approximately 28,000 acres of agricultural land, for which the World Bank has provided financial assistance of about INR 600 crore.
The Chief Minister said the World Bank appreciated the government’s leadership and described the ‘Jal Sanrakshit Haryana’ programme as a ‘paradigm shift’ in the state’s water management approach. He said that upon completion, all canals in Haryana will be restored, making them among the most modern and well-maintained in the country.
He added that the project will help make the state water self-reliant and strengthen efforts to ensure a safe, inclusive and sustainable water future. On completion, the entire canal network will be fully lined and is expected to function effectively for the next 25 years, reducing the need for restoration funds for many years. Irrigation facilities will become available on an additional 2 lakh acres of land, and farmers will get relief from waterlogging. He said the project will also help conserve fresh water currently used for irrigation, making more water available for drinking purposes.
(ANI)