Parliament Question: Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3011 ANSWERED ON 07.08.2025 EASTERN RAJASTHAN CANAL PROJECT

3011. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) the current status of the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) and the manner in which the project is progressing in terms of its scope with particular focus on the districts of Jhalawar and Baran which are facing a severe water crisis;

(b) whether the Union Government is working with the State Governments of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh to promote development to the regions such as Jhalawar-Baran, especially in terms of irrigation facilities, agricultural productivity and improving the livelihoods of local farmers and if so, the details thereof;

(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to expedite the project and the timeline fixed for commencement of work keeping in view the significant delays in the implementation of this crucial project; and

(d) the manner in which the Ministry is planning to align the ERCP with the broader goals of water conservation and irrigation development in Rajasthan? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)

(a) to (d) With a view to optimize the utilization of water of the Chambal River System and based on deliberations with Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh States, a proposal of modified Parbati-Kalisindh- Chambal (Modified PKC) link, incorporating the components, as proposed by Government of Madhya Pradesh in Kuno, Parbati and Kalisindh sub-basins along with components of Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) has been framed.

A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) has been signed on 05.12.2024 amongst the States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and the Union Government wherein both the States Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan with the Union Government entered into Agreement for the planning and preparation of the DPR of the Modified PKC link project in the larger interest of utilising the waters of Chambal basin optimally and fulfil the irrigation and drinking water needs in both the States.

1As per the MoA, 4,03,652 hectare of annual irrigation shall be available in Rajasthan from the project, which includes stabilization of 1.52 lakh hectare of existing command area and development of 2.52 hectares (including 0.29 lakh hectare through regenerated water) of new command area. 24,342 hectare area of Jhalawar and 16,850 hectare area of Baran district is proposed to be benefitted by the project.

Besides irrigation, drinking water supply of 1744.16 MCM and industrial water supply of 205.75 MCM has also been envisaged in the MoA.

The Detailed Project Report of Modified PKC link, prepared by M/s WAPCOS, has been endorsed and submitted by Government of Rajasthan to Central Water Commission.

Further, Parwan Multipurpose Project, benefitting 2.01 lakh hectare culturable command area in Kota, Baran and Jhalawar districts has been included under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna- Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP) in March, 2022.

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