Parliament Question: Review of Irrigation Situation

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3109 ANSWERED ON 06.08.2026 REVIEW OF IRRIGATION SITUATION

3109. Shri K E PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Union Government has reviewed the irrigation situation arising from water storage levels and canal modernisation works connected with the Bhavanisagar Dam in Tamil Nadu, particularly affecting Erode district and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether any proposal or request has been received from the State Government of Tamil Nadu for assistance in canal modernisation, irrigation infrastructure improvement or water management in the Bhavanisagar command area and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Union Government has examined the impact of delayed release of irrigation water on farmers dependent on the Kalingarayan Canal and other related irrigation networks and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Union Government to support timely completion of irrigation infrastructure works and improve water- use efficiency in the affected command areas? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)

(a) to (d) Water, being State subject, water resources projects are planned, funded, executed, operated and maintained by the State Governments themselves as per their own resources and priority. Role of Government of India 1is to provide technical support, and partial financial assistance for identified projects under ongoing schemes.

Technical examination by the Central Water Commission (CWC) followed by subsequent techno-economic appraisal by the Advisory Committee of the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD&GR) is a mandatory pre-condition for projects seeking central assistance under any scheme of the DoWR, RD&GR. No proposal for canal modernization, irrigation infrastructure improvement or water management in the Bhavanisagar command area has been received in CWC for appraisal.

As informed by the Government of Tamil Nadu, modernisation of Lower Bhavani Project Canal System, Kodiveri Anicut Irrigation System and Kalingarayan Anicut Canal System taken up under the Extension, Renovation & Modernisation (ERM) Scheme with assistance from NABARD. Further, the irrigation situation in the Bhavanisagar Dam command area, is reviewed continuously by them. Water releases are scheduled to maximize irrigation benefits while ensuring equitable distribution.

Government of India has launched a pilot scheme viz. Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (MCAD) with aim to modernize irrigation water supply network with robust backend infrastructure for micro-irrigation by farmers from established source to the farm gate with underground pressurized piped irrigation to increase water use efficiency in command area. One project with CCA of 4,989 hectares in Tiruppur district of Tamil Nadu has been included for implementation under MCAD scheme.

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