Haryana aims towards water sustainability with World Bank funds

In a significant push towards long-term water sustainability, Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting with the World Bank Appraisal Mission, marking a decisive step forward in the implementation of the ambitious ‘Water Secure Haryana’ programme.

The programme, with a total outlay of Rs5,715 crore, including a Rs4,000 crore World Bank loan, is aimed at improving the efficiency, reliability and sustainability of agricultural water use across the state.

Planned over a six-year period, the initiative represents a comprehensive and structured effort to strengthen water management systems in the state. The project will be implemented through a co-ordinated approach involving the Irrigation and Water Resources Department, which has been al-located Rs3,328 crore, the Micro-Irrigation and Command Area Development Authority with an outlay of Rs1,500 crore, and the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, which will uti-lise Rs887 crore.

This convergence of departments is expected to ensure integrated planning and effective execution.

Satbir Singh Kadian, Engineer in Chief, Irrigation and Water Resources Department, informed that the programme has been designed to bring a structural transformation in water governance by lev-eraging modern technology, strengthening institutions and promoting farmer-centric interventions.

It will be implemented across 15 clusters covering 48.94 lakh acres, benefiting a significant portion of the state’s cultivable command area.

A key focus of the initiative is the adoption of data-driven water management systems, including digital databases and real-time monitoring mechanisms, to improve irrigation efficiency and service delivery.