Madhya Pradeshs Irrigation Capacity Set to Surpass One Crore Hectares Within Five Years

State to Prioritize Renewable Energy Expansion
CM Dr. Yadav reviews works of Water Resources and Narmada Valley Development Department

During a meeting at Mantralaya, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav emphasized the urgent need to enhance access to drinking water and irrigation facilities for the state’s citizens. He underscored the importance of timely project completion and urged departmental officers to maintain continuous oversight of the initiatives. Dr. Yadav also emphasized the importance of advancing projects in the renewable energy sector. Notable updates from the meeting included projections that the state’s irrigation capacity would exceed one crore hectares within the next five years. Additionally, the floating solar power plant at Omkareshwar, with an initial capacity of 50 MW out of 250 MW, would soon commence energy production. The meeting was attended by Water Resources Minister Shri Tulsi Silavat and Chief Secretary Smt. Veera Rana, among others.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav inquired about the state’s irrigation capacity, emphasizing the need to expand irrigated areas through major, medium, and minor irrigation projects. Upon receiving district-wise data on irrigation percentages from government sources, Dr. Yadav instructed officials to expedite the implementation of irrigation schemes in districts where current irrigation rates are comparatively low. It was informed in the meeting that currently irrigation is being done in 41.10 lakh hectare area in the state through the Water Resources Department. Narmada Valley Development Department is irrigating 8.85 lakh hectare area, thus a total area of ​​50 lakh hectare is irrigated. Upon completion of the irrigation schemes under construction in the state, the irrigation area of ​​the Water Resources Department will increase by 23.66 lakh hectares and that of the Narmada Valley Development Department by 43.21 lakh hectares. If these schemes are completed in the next 5 years, the irrigation capacity of the state will exceed 93 lakh hectares.

Irrigated Land to Expand Continuously Year by Year

It was informed in the meeting that due to the works of the Water Resources Department, the irrigation area in the state will increase year after year. Irrigation area will expand to 2.75 lakh hectares in the year 2024, 4.21 lakh hectares in the year 2025, 4.62 lakh hectares in the year 2026, 5.74 lakh hectares in the year 2027 and 6.34 lakh hectares in the year 2028. Thus, in these five years, the work for increasing the irrigation area by 23.66 lakh hectares will be completed by the Water Resources Department.

Proposed significant projects like the Ken Betwa Project, Modified Parvati Sindh Project, and others under the NVDA are poised to extend irrigation facilities to a vast area of 19.25 lakh hectares in the state. This expansion will propel the state’s irrigation capacity beyond one crore hectares, providing farmers with enhanced access to drinking water and irrigation resources. Moreover, the increased water availability for industries will further bolster the state’s economy. Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources and Narmada Valley Development Department Dr. Rajesh Rajoura , delivered a presentation on the state’s irrigation landscape during the meeting

Discussion on the works of upcoming Simhastha also

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav sought information about the work being done by the departments for Simhastha 2028 and also gave necessary instructions. He directed for construction of ghats, stop dams as per requirement along with various bridges on Kshipra and other rivers and completion of works as per future water needs. Departmental officials said that various works will be carried out for clean and uninterrupted flow of Kshipra. A strategy has been adopted to complete the work to ensure that devotees have convenience of bathing and worshiping during festivals.

Suggestions of expert Committee for phased implementation of Nagda Project, Madhavrao Scindia Irrigation Project in Gwalior and Chambal region, formation of Kshipra River Basin Authority (Namami Kshipre Authority), revival of borewells, tanks and other sources of irrigation in the dark zone areas of the state were also discussed.