Photo Source: ANI
World Bank approves Rs 5,700 crore aid for ‘Jal Sanrakshit Haryana’ to make state water self-reliant
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, January 24, 2026: In a major boost to Haryana’s water management and irrigation infrastructure, the World Bank has approved technical and financial assistance of ₹5,700 crore under the ‘Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Project’, aimed at making the state self-reliant in the water sector. The approval has been granted under the leadership and guidance of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini.
The Chief Minister chaired a high-level meeting of officials in Chandigarh to review the Jal Sanrakshit Haryana programme, during which he said that the funds would be disbursed in phases over six years, from 2026 to 2032, and utilised primarily for large-scale canal restoration and water conservation works.
He informed that out of 1,570 canals in the state, 892 have been restored over the past 20 years, while the remaining 678 canals will be restored within the next five years. This includes restoration of 115 canals at a cost of ₹2,325 crore with World Bank assistance, 284 canals costing ₹2,230 crore from the state budget, and 279 canals worth ₹2,880 crore through NABARD funding.
The Chief Minister further stated that of the 15,562 canal minors under MICADA, 4,487 have already been restored, while the remaining 1,961 canal minors will be restored over the next five years. This includes 400 minors with World Bank support of ₹450 crore, 1,500 minors funded by the state at ₹1,250 crore, and 61 minors through NABARD at a cost of ₹402 crore. Additionally, micro-irrigation systems will be introduced over nearly 70,000 acres of farmland with World Bank assistance of ₹900 crore.
To address waterlogging, the Agriculture Department will develop tube-well-based and surface drainage systems across approximately 2 lakh acres of remaining waterlogged areas. Sustainable agricultural practices such as crop diversification and direct seeding of rice will also be promoted, supported by World Bank funding of about ₹886 crore.
Strengthening groundwater recharge, the Chief Minister said around 80 water bodies will be constructed in southern Haryana. Treated water from four major sewage treatment plants in Jind, Kaithal, and Gurugram will be reused for irrigation across nearly 28,000 acres, with World Bank assistance of ₹600 crore.
The Chief Minister said the World Bank has described the Jal Sanrakshit Haryana programme as a “paradigm shift” in water management, noting that upon completion, all canals in Haryana will be restored and modernised, making them among the best-managed canal systems in the country.
He said the project would ensure that the entire canal network remains fully lined and functional for the next 25 years, eliminating the need for frequent restoration. Irrigation facilities will also be extended to an additional 2 lakh acres, while reducing waterlogging and conserving freshwater for drinking purposes.
Appealing to farmers, Nayab Singh Saini urged wider adoption of micro-irrigation systems, particularly for paddy cultivation, and directed officials to organise large-scale awareness campaigns. He also announced that tenders would soon be issued to supply drinking water through pipelines to the Kharkhoda industrial zone, and directed officials to prepare proposals for channel links to ensure future water availability for industrial and drinking needs.
A detailed presentation was made by Chief Engineer, Irrigation Department, Dr Satbir Kadyan. The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Arun Kumar Gupta, Additional Principal Secretary Dr Saket Kumar, and senior officers of the Irrigation Department.