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Irrigation: Major Projects and Infrastructure
4.1 Aggregate Irrigation Statistics
Total irrigation potential created in Rajasthan stands at 39.36 lakh hectare (up to March 2024). An additional 14,514.41 hectare of potential was created in 2024-25 (up to December 2024). The irrigation budget for 2024-25 is ₹5,803.75 crore (excluding IGNP allocation), with expenditure of ₹2,816.09 crore (up to December 2024).
The Net Irrigated Area covers approximately 45-47% of the net sown area, though distribution is sharply unequal: eastern districts (Kota, Bundi, Ganganagar) have far higher irrigation coverage than western and southern Rajasthan.
4.2 Major Irrigation Projects
Table: Major Irrigation Projects of Rajasthan
| Project | River/Source | Beneficiary Reach | Command Area | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana (IGNP) | Sutlej-Beas (Harike Barrage, Punjab) | 5,719 villages, 39 towns | 15.79 lakh ha (designed) | India's largest canal project; Stages I & II; transforms Thar Desert agriculture |
| Chambal Project (Rajasthan-MP joint) | Chambal River (Gandhi Sagar Dam) | 4,899 villages, 29 towns | 4.60 lakh ha (Rajasthan share) | 3 dams: Gandhi Sagar (MP), Rana Pratap Sagar, Jawahar Sagar (Rajasthan) |
| Bisalpur Dam | Banas River, near Tonk | 3,109 villages, 22 towns | Drinking water priority; irrigation secondary | Largest water source for Jaipur city; 38 TMC capacity |
| Mahi Bajaj Sagar | Mahi River | Southern Rajasthan tribal belt | 2.26 lakh ha | Banswara district; joint project with Gujarat; provides irrigation to tribal regions |
| ERCP (Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal) | Parbati, Kalisindh, Chambal rivers | 17 districts, 3.25 crore people (drinking) | 2,51,000 new + 1,52,000 additional ha (irrigation) | Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project; drinking water priority; approved 2024 |
| Narmada Canal (NVDA link) | Narmada | Barmer, Jalore, Sirohi, Pali | Limited irrigation | Water sharing under Narmada Waters Dispute Tribunal award |
Source: Rajasthan Economic Review 2025-26, Chapter 2; Water Resources Department, GoR
4.3 IGNP — Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana (Detail)
The Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana, originally called the Rajasthan Canal Project, is India's longest canal system. Key facts:
- Total canal length: 9,000+ km (main canal + distribution network)
- Designed command area: 15.79 lakh hectare across Ganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Barmer, and Jaisalmer districts
- Stage I: Command area 5.53 lakh ha; completed
- Stage II (ongoing): Remaining 10.26 lakh ha; work in progress
- NDB (New Development Bank) Project: ₹3,291.63 crore sanctioned for restructuring IGNP — relining 176.91 km of main/branch canals, strengthening 2,494.43 km of distribution system.
- Transformation: Converted erstwhile desert zones of Jaisalmer and Bikaner into agricultural belts producing wheat, cotton, mustard, and groundnut.
4.4 ERCP — Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project
The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) — formally the Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal link project — is the most significant new water infrastructure project for Rajasthan. Key details:
- Rivers linked: Parbati, Kalisindh, and Chambal (surplus eastern rivers divert water westward)
- Drinking water: 17 districts, 3.25 crore people (population coverage)
- Irrigation: 2,51,000 hectare new command area + 1,52,000 hectare additional irrigation to existing command areas
- Districts covered: Kota, Bundi, Jhalawar, Baran, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, Ajmer, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur, Karauli, Dausa, Nagaur, Sikar, Pali, and Rajsamand
- Declared National Project (2023): This status ensures 60:40 Centre-State funding (vs. 100% state funding earlier), making it financially viable
- Strategic significance: Addresses the groundwater over-exploitation crisis in eastern Rajasthan by substituting surface water for over-drawn borewells.
4.5 Micro-Irrigation: PMKSY and Per Drop More Crop
Micro-irrigation — drip irrigation and sprinkler systems — is the state's response to water-use efficiency imperatives. Under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) "Per Drop More Crop" component:
- 2024-25 coverage (up to December 2024): Drip and mini-sprinkler — 34,469 hectare; Sprinkler — 56,727 hectare
- Expenditure: ₹123.79 crore (2024-25, up to December 2024)
- Micro-irrigation reduces water use by 30-50% compared to flood irrigation, increases yield by 20-30%, and allows fertilizer application through fertigation.
RWSLIP (Rajasthan Water Sector Livelihood Improvement Project), funded by JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency): rehabilitation of 137 major/medium irrigation projects, CCA (Culturable Command Area) of 4.70 lakh hectare, total project cost ₹2,294.30 crore. Focuses on canal lining, outlet modernization, and Water User Association strengthening.