CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: Pankaj Mittal Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the relentless efforts of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, a new chapter in irrigation was written in Madhya Pradesh in 2024. Realizing the dream of the late Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee to interlink rivers, two major and ambitious multi-purpose irrigation projects were launched in the state.

In the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was signed in Jaipur between Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and the Central Government for the Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project. Similarly, PM Modi laid the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa National River Linking Project in Khajuraho, Chhatarpur.

The Madhya Pradesh government is farmer-friendly and prioritizes the welfare of its food providers. Continuous efforts are being made to ensure water reaches every field. Under the leadership of CM Mohan Yadav and Water Resources Minister Tulsi Ram Silawat, the irrigation area in Madhya Pradesh is steadily increasing through various large, medium, and micro-irrigation projects. With water now reaching the fields, farmers who earlier grew two crops are now harvesting a third crop, boosting agricultural production and making the land fertile and prosperous.

Efforts by the government have led to a remarkable increase in irrigation coverage. In 2003, the irrigated area in the state was around 3 lakh hectares, which has now increased to nearly 50 lakh hectares. By 2025-26, irrigation coverage is expected to reach 65 lakh hectares, and the government aims to expand irrigation capacity to 1 crore hectares by 2028-29. The 2024-25 budget allocated ₹13,596 crore for constructing and maintaining irrigation projects.

The Ken-Betwa Link National Project is the largest irrigation project in the country utilizing underground pressurized pipe irrigation systems. This project will irrigate 8.11 lakh hectares across 10 districts in Madhya Pradesh, including Chhatarpur, Panna, Tikamgarh, Niwari, Damoh, Shivpuri, Datia, Raisen, Vidisha, and Sagar, benefitting 44 lakh farmer families. It will also stabilize irrigation on 1.92 lakh hectares in Uttar Pradesh, benefitting districts like Mahoba, Jhansi, Lalitpur, and Banda. The project will provide drinking water to 44 lakh people in Madhya Pradesh and 21 lakh people in Uttar Pradesh, contribute 103 MW of green energy, and create employment opportunities through hydroelectric power projects.

The Parvati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project will transform the Malwa and Chambal regions, irrigating 6.13 lakh hectares and providing drinking water to 40 lakh people. The modernization of the 60-year-old Chambal Right Main Canal and distribution system will make water available on demand to 3.62 lakh hectares in 1,205 villages across Bhind, Morena, and Sheopur districts. The project will benefit 3,217 villages across 13 districts, including Guna, Morena, Shivpuri, Bhind, Sheopur, Ujjain, Sehore, Mandsaur, Indore, Dhar, Agar Malwa, Shajapur, and Rajgarh.

Estimated at ₹72,000 crore, the project will be a boon for farmers and citizens in both Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, with Madhya Pradesh contributing ₹35,000 crore and Rajasthan ₹37,000 crore. With a total water storage capacity of 1,908.83 million cubic meters, 172 million cubic meters will be reserved for drinking water and industrial purposes, supported by 21 dams/barrages.

To fulfill the “Per Drop More Crop” objective, 133 large and medium pressurized micro-irrigation projects are under construction. Approved projects include the ₹1,320 crore Chitrangi Pressurized Micro-Irrigation Project, which will develop 32,125 hectares in Singrauli district, and the ₹4,197.58 crore Jawad Neemuch Pressurized Micro-Irrigation Project, which will irrigate 18,600 hectares in Neemuch district.

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