**Executive Summary**
This document is the response from the Minister of State for Jal Shakti to Unstarred Question No. 2213, answered on February 12, 2026, concerning irrigation potential and water distribution systems in India. It provides data on irrigation potential created and details the government's schemes for water distribution system maintenance. The response references data published in year 2024 and the year 2023-24.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Irrigation Potential Created:**
* Through Major and Medium Irrigation (MMI) and Extension, Renovation and Modernisation (ERM) projects: 47.62 million hectares. The data is per the "Register for Major and Medium Irrigation Projects" published in year 2024 by the Central Water Commission (CWC).
* Through minor irrigation: 88.84 million hectares, as per "6th Minor Irrigation Census."
* Total gross irrigated area in the country during year 2023-24 is 130.548 million hectares, as per "Land Use Statistics 2023-24".
* **Government Schemes:**
* Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) launched in 2015-16 to enhance physical access of water on farm, expand cultivable area, improve water use efficiency, and promote sustainable conservation practices.
* Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) component of PMKSY is dedicated to creating, restoring, and stabilizing irrigation potential.
* Extension, Renovation and Modernization (ERM) of irrigation projects are undertaken under AIBP to repair and maintain canals and distribution networks.
**Impact Analysis**
**Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation**
* **Impact:** Tasked with maintaining and improving irrigation potential and water distribution through the various projects.
* **Action Required:** Continue implementing and monitoring the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) to enhance irrigation potential and efficiency.
**Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare**
* **Impact:** Benefits from the increase in irrigated area.
* **Action Required:** Contribute to the efforts of PMKSY to improve and enhance the irrigation potential.
**Farmers**
* **Impact:** Greater access to water for irrigation, leading to improved crop yields and expanded cultivable area.
* **Action Required:** Adopt sustainable water conservation practices to make the most of the irrigation potential.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): A scheme launched to enhance physical access of water on farms and expand cultivable area under assured irrigation.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The ministry answering the question on irrigation potential and water distribution systems.
Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP): A component of PMKSY dedicated to creation, restoration, and stabilization of irrigation potential.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2213
ANSWERED ON 12.02.2026
IRRIGATION POTENTIAL AND WATER DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS
2213. SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) the total Irrigation Potential Created and the Irrigation Potential Utilised at present; and
(b) whether the Government has formulated any scheme for proper repair and maintenance of water
distribution systems from dams to ensure that water reaches each farm, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) Irrigation potential created in the country through Major and Medium Irrigation (MMI) projects and
Extension, Renovation and Modernisation (ERM) projects in the country is 47.62 million hectares, as per
the "Register for Major and Medium Irrigation Projects" published in year 2024 by the Central Water
Commission (CWC). Irrigation potential created in the country through minor irrigation is 88.84 million
hectares, as per "6th Minor Irrigation Census" published by the Department of Water Resources, River
Development & Ganga Rejuvenation. Total gross irrigated area in the country during year 2023-24 is
130.548 million hectares, as per "Land Use Statistics 2023-24", published by Department of Agriculture
and Farmers Welfare.
(b) Government of India has launched the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) during
the year 2015-16, with an aim to enhance physical access of water on farm and expand cultivable area
under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency, introduce sustainable water conservation
practices, etc.
Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi
Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) is dedicated to creation, restoration and stabilization of irrigation potential in
the country through completion of major and medium irrigation projects.
Extension, Renovation and Modernization (ERM) of irrigation projects are also undertaken under
AIBP component of PMKSY, wherein repair and maintenance of canals and distribution network is
undertaken for restoration and enhancement of irrigation potential of the project.
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