World Bank Approves Rs 4,000 Crore Loan for Haryana's Jal Sanrakshit Project
The World Bank has sanctioned a loan of Rs 4,000 crore under the Rs 5,714-crore Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Project, a flagship initiative aimed at making the state self-reliant in water management. The project will cover 15 clusters spanning 48.94 lakh acres.
Project Implementation and Scope
Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini described the project as a comprehensive water resource management programme, to be implemented over six years. The funding will be utilized for extensive canal rehabilitation, including the restoration of 678 remaining canals in the state.
During a meeting on Saturday to review the project's progress, Saini instructed officials to formulate a water management plan and ensure its execution at the grassroots level so that water reaches every agricultural field.
Village-Level Committees and Canal Rehabilitation
The CM directed that village-level water committees be involved in the development and maintenance of water channels, or 'khaals'. A dedicated fund will be created for these committees, with government contributions towards the upkeep and repair of the channels.
Under the MICADA programme, rehabilitation work on 620 'khaals' will be undertaken, benefiting approximately 3.18 lakh acres of farmland. The programme also includes reclamation of nearly 2 lakh acres of waterlogged land, promotion of Direct Seeded Rice (DSR) on 5 lakh acres, and encouragement of crop diversification on about 1.12 lakh acres.
Groundwater Recharge and Water Body Development
To strengthen groundwater recharge, 147 water bodies will be developed in seven districts: Bhiwani, Jind, Kaithal, Mahendragarh, Rewari, Charkhi Dadri, and Sirsa. Additionally, treated wastewater from major sewage treatment plants (STPs) in Jind, Kaithal, and Dhanwapur (Gurugram) will be reused for irrigation purposes.
