Parliament Question: National Project Status to Major Irrigation Projects

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 920 ANSWERED ON 23.07.2026 NATIONAL PROJECT STATUS TO MAJOR IRRIGATION PROJECTS 920. Dr. MALLU RAVI: Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has reviewed the criteria and mechanism for according National Project status to major irrigation projects across the country and if so, the details thereof; (b) the number of proposals for according National Project status pending before the Government along with the present stage of examination of each such proposal; (c) whether the Government has received any proposal from the State Government of Telangana for according National Project status to the Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme and if so, the details thereof along with the present status of its Detailed Project Report (DPR) appraisal; and (d) whether the Government proposes to expedite the appraisal of eligible irrigation projects to improve drought mitigation, drinking water security and irrigation potential and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY) (a) & (b) The criteria and mechanism for according National Project status to major irrigation projects are specified in the guidelines for PMKSY-AIBP and National Projects. The National Project status is mainly accorded to the projects of national importance, involving inter-State or international water issues, or create/restore significant irrigation potential. The updated guidelines are available at https://pmksy.mowr.gov.in/aibp-mis/Manual/Guidelines_PMKSY_AIBP_National_Projects_%202022.pdf. No project is presently under consideration of Government of India for declaration as a National Project. (c) The Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme has been received by Central Water Commission under this Ministry. The DPR of the project has been returned by CWC to the state of Telangana with a request for holistic planning for achieving the intended benefits of the whole Palamuru–Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Scheme project. (d) The appraisal of the Major and Medium Irrigation projects is carried out as per the CWC guidelines for Submission, appraisal and acceptance of Irrigation and Multipurpose Projects, 2017. *****