**Executive Summary**
This document is a response to Unstarred Question No. 934 in Lok Sabha on February 5, 2026, regarding pending irrigation projects in the Wardha Lok Sabha Constituency. The Minister of Jal Shakti outlines the status of various irrigation projects, financial assistance provided, and long-term plans to address water scarcity, noting that water is a State subject, and the Central Government provides technical and financial support.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Central Government's Role:**
* The Government of India provides technical support and partial financial assistance for identified irrigation projects under ongoing schemes.
* **Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna (PMKSY):**
* The Lower Wardha Project and the Lower Pedhi Project in the Wardha Lok Sabha Constituency are included under PMKSY.
* Central assistance of Rs. 46.16 crore has been provided for these projects from 2020-21 to 2024-25, and the Lower Wardha Project is complete.
* **Special Package to Maharashtra:**
* Eighteen surface minor irrigation projects in Amravati district and one in Wardha district have been included.
* Central assistance of Rs. 142.34 crore has been reimbursed for these projects from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
* Seventeen of these projects have been reported as complete.
* **Addressing Water Scarcity:**
* Special provisions have been made under PMKSY for projects in drought-prone areas, including relaxed criteria and enhanced funding (60:40 Centre:State).
* In 2018, a Special Package for Irrigation Projects in Maharashtra was approved to complete 83 Surface Minor Irrigation projects and 8 Major/Medium Irrigation Projects in drought-prone districts.
* The Per Drop More Crop scheme, implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare, is dedicated to micro-irrigation development.
* The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has completed the National Aquifer Mapping (NAQUIM) Project, and aquifer maps/management plans have been shared with State agencies.
* "Jal Shakti Abhiyan” and “Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari" initiatives promote united action in water conservation.
* **Project Monitoring:**
* Projects are physically monitored twice a year by regional offices of the Central Water Commission.
* Projects are reviewed regularly, and issues are flagged over the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) portal and resolved in PMG meetings.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Amravati and Wardha Districts**
* **Impact:** Benefit from major, medium, and minor irrigation projects aimed at improving water availability.
* **Action Required:** Cooperate with the State Government and relevant authorities in the implementation of irrigation projects and water conservation measures.
**Stakeholder: State Government of Maharashtra**
* **Impact:** Responsible for planning, executing, operating, and managing irrigation projects with support from the Central Government.
* **Action Required:** Implement NAQUIM plans, collaborate with the Central Government for PMKSY and special packages, and promote water conservation through initiatives like "Jal Shakti Abhiyan".
**Stakeholder: Farmers in drought prone areas**
* **Impact:** Development of irrigation in drought prone areas of the country.
* **Action Required:** Cooperate with the Department of Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare in water conservation through micro-irrigation development.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The central ministry responsible for water resources, river development, and Ganga rejuvenation, answering the question about irrigation projects.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna-Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (PMKSY-AIBP): A program providing financial assistance for irrigation projects.
Wardha Lok Sabha Constituency: The specific geographical area to which the parliamentary question and the details of irrigation projects pertain.
Special Package for Irrigation Projects in Maharashtra: A specific package approved to complete irrigation projects in Maharashtra, benefiting drought-prone districts.
Maharashtra: The state where irrigation projects are being implemented, especially in drought-prone areas.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 934
ANSWERED ON 05.02.2026
PENDING PROJECTS IN WARDHA LOK SABHA CONSTITUENCY
†934. SHRI AMAR SHARADRAO KALE:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) the present status of pending irrigation projects including Dimbhe Dam Canal Project in Wardha Lok
Sabha Constituency and the progress made under its various stages;
(b) the details of the funds released, allocated and utilised for the purpose during the last five years;
(c) the timeframe for completion of these projects along with the measures being taken to remove
administrative and technical delays, if any; and
(d) the details of long-term plans to address the problem of perennial water scarcity in the said
Constituency and drought-prone areas of Maharashtra along with the steps taken to promote micro-
irrigation and water conservation techniques?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) to (c) Water, being a state subject, it is for the State Government concerned to plan, execute, operate
and manage the irrigation projects. Role of Government of India is to provide technical support, and
partial financial assistance for identified projects under the ongoing schemes.
Two (02) major and medium irrigation projects, namely the Lower Wardha Project and the Lower
Pedhi Project, benefiting the Amravati and Wardha districts of the Wardha Lok Sabha Constituency have
been included under Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna-Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme of
this Ministry for financial assistance. Central assistance of Rs. 46.16 crore has been provided to these two
projects during the last five years, i.e. during 2020–21 to 2024–25, which have been fully utilized. The
Lower Wardha Project has been completed.
Eighteen (18) surface minor irrigation projects benefiting Amravati district and one (01) surface
irrigation project benefiting Wardha district of the Wardha Lok Sabha Constituency have been included
under Special Package to Maharashtra. Central assistance of Rs. 142.34 crore has been reimbursed to
these projects during the last five years, i.e. during 2020–21 to 2024–25. Seventeen (17) of these projects
have been reported as complete.
1Dimbhe Dam Canal Project is a part of the Kukadi Irrigation Project in Maharashtra benefitting
Shirur constituency of Maharashtra.
To ensure timely completion of projects, projects are physically monitored by regional offices of
Central Water Commission twice a year. Projects are reviewed at regular intervals by Hon’ble Minister,
Jal Shakti and Secretary, DoWR,RD&GR, wherein issues are identified and necessary action are taken for
their early resolution. Issues and bottlenecks under the projects are also flagged over Project Monitoring
Group (PMG) portal and resolved in PMG meetings under Secretary (Coordination), Cabinet Secretariat.
(d) To address the issue of development of irrigation in drought prone areas in the country, special
provisions have been made in the criteria for selection of projects and central funding ratio under
Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme of PMKSY. If a project has more than 50% command in
drought prone area, 50% advance stage criteria has been relaxed and the project can be included since
beginning of the construction with enhanced funding ratio of 60 (Centre): 40 (State), in the proportion of
command area falling in drought prone area.
Further, Government of India has approved, in 2018, a Special Package for Irrigation Projects in
Maharashtra to complete 83 Surface Minor Irrigation (SMI) projects and 8 Major/Medium Irrigation
Projects in drought prone districts in Vidarbha and Marathwada and rest of Maharashtra.
In addition, Per Drop More Crop scheme being implemented by Department of Agriculture and
Farmer’s Welfare is dedicated for micro irrigation development in country.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under this Ministry has completed the National Aquifer
Mapping (NAQUIM) Project in the entire mappable area of about 25 Lakh sq. km. The Aquifer maps and
management plans have been prepared and shared with the respective State agencies for implementation.
The management plans include various water conservation measures through demand side and supply side
interventions.
Further, “Jal Shakti Abhiyan”, “Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari" are initiatives launched by this Ministry
with Jan Bhagidari in water conservation for united action from all stakeholders, including government
bodies, industries, local authorities, philanthropists, resident welfare associations (RWAs) and individuals.
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