World Bank Approves ₹5,700 Crore for Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Project

The World Bank has cleared technical and financial assistance of ₹5,700 crore for Haryana under the ‘Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Project’, marking a major step towards strengthening the state’s water security and irrigation infrastructure, as per PTI report.  

The funding will support large-scale canal restoration, micro-irrigation, drainage systems and groundwater recharge initiatives over a 6-year period. 

Large-Scale Canal Modernisation And Irrigation Push 

Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the funds will be released in phases between 2026 and 2032 and will primarily be deployed to upgrade Haryana’s extensive canal network. Out of the state’s 1,570 canals, 892 have already been restored over the past 2 decades, while the remaining 678 are targeted for completion within the next 5 years.  

This includes restoration of 115 canals at a cost of ₹2,325 crore using World Bank funding, 284 canals costing ₹2,230 crore financed through the state budget, and 279 canals worth ₹2,880 crore supported by NABARD. 

In addition, among 15,562 minor canals managed by the Micro Irrigation & Command Area Development Authority, 4,487 have already been rehabilitated, while the remaining 1,961 are planned for restoration over the next five years.  

Of these, 400 canals will be funded by the World Bank at ₹450 crore, 1,500 by the state at ₹1,250 crore, and 61 by NABARD at ₹402 crore. 

Micro-Irrigation, Drainage and Groundwater Recharge Initiatives 

With World Bank support of ₹900 crore, micro-irrigation systems will be rolled out across nearly 70,000 acres of farmland. The Agriculture Department will also develop tube-well-based and surface drainage networks to tackle waterlogging across roughly 2,00,000 acres. 

To promote sustainable agriculture, crop diversification, direct seeding of rice and water-efficient practices will be supported through financial assistance of ₹886 crore. 

The project further includes construction of about 80 water bodies across southern Haryana to strengthen groundwater recharge.  

Additionally, treated wastewater from sewage treatment plants in Jind, Kaithal and Gurugram will be reused for irrigation across 28,000 acres, supported by World Bank funding of approximately ₹600 crore. 

Policy Vision And Long-Term Impact 

The World Bank has described the Jal Sanrakshit Haryana programme as a “paradigm shift” in the state’s water management framework. On completion, Haryana’s entire canal network will be fully lined and modernised, enabling efficient operations for at least 25 years without major restoration expenditure. 

The initiative is expected to extend irrigation coverage to an additional 2 lakh acres, reduce waterlogging, conserve freshwater for drinking purposes, and improve agricultural productivity. The Chief Minister also urged farmers to adopt micro-irrigation systems, particularly in paddy cultivation, to improve yields and conserve water. 

Read More: Tata Power, DGPC Secure $815 Million World Bank Funding for Bhutan’s Dorjilung Hydropower Project! 

Conclusion 

The ₹5,700 crore World Bank-backed Jal Sanrakshit Haryana Project represents a transformative investment in irrigation, drainage and water conservation, positioning Haryana as a model state for sustainable water management and agricultural resilience. 

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