Chief Minister Allocates ₹6,446.57 Crore for Strengthening Irrigation
Chandigarh : With the objective of strengthening the agriculture sector, Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini has given special emphasis to the irrigation system in the Budget, allocating ₹6,446.57 crore for it, which is 14.83 percent higher than the previous financial year.
During the Budget session, the Chief Minister presented a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen irrigation infrastructure. He stated that efficient water management will be the real strength of agriculture and the state’s economy in the coming years.
He announced that in 2026–27, 1,500 kilometers of canal lining will be rehabilitated, including the Bhakra Main Branch, Sirsa Branch, NBK Link Channel, Bhalaut Sub Branch, and Habri Sub Branch, along with nearly 70 other canals. He further stated that by 2031, there will not be a single canal in the state left without rehabilitation of its lining.
Under the ‘Per Drop More Crop’ programme, an additional 1.25 lakh acres will be brought under drip and sprinkler irrigation systems in 2026–27 to promote micro-irrigation. Additionally, 2,200 new on-farm water tanks will be constructed.
The government will also request all panchayats across the state to identify at least 100 villages in each district where water bodies will be developed on 2 to 10 acres of panchayat land with grant assistance and support from the Haryana Water Resources Authority (HWRA).
The Chief Minister stated that the Haryana Water Resources Authority (HWRA) regulates groundwater extraction in over-exploited areas and utilizes the revenue collected from charges to develop new water infrastructure and promote rainwater harvesting. For 2026–27, HWRA has allocated ₹125 crore for new water structures.
To ensure efficient and equitable water distribution, SCADA systems have already been installed at Hathnikund Barrage and the JLN Pump House, Salawas. Additionally, Real-Time Data Acquisition Systems (RTDAS) are operational at 180 locations. With the help of these modern operational technologies, canals and 620 watercourses (khals) will be improved to ensure smooth and direct water flow to farms.
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini also stated that approximately 2 lakh acres of land in the state are affected by waterlogging. The government has set a target to reclaim this land and make it cultivable again by improving drainage systems