**Executive Summary**
This document provides a response to an unstarred question regarding the state of canals and embankments in India and the government's efforts to repair them. It clarifies that while water management is primarily a state subject, the central government provides technical and financial assistance through schemes like the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). It lists 10 Extension, Renovation and Modernisation projects undertaken since 2016-17 under PMKSY-AIBP.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Water Management Responsibility:**
* Water is a state subject, making state governments responsible for planning, executing, operating, and maintaining irrigation projects.
* **Central Government's Role:**
* The Government of India provides technical support and partial financial assistance for identified projects under ongoing schemes.
* **PMKSY-AIBP Initiative:**
* The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP), a component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), focuses on creating, restoring, and stabilizing irrigation potential.
* This includes extension, renovation, and modernization of irrigation projects.
* **ERM Projects (2016-17 Onwards):**
* Ten Extension, Renovation, and Modernisation (ERM) projects have been undertaken since 2016-17 under PMKSY-AIBP.
* **List of Projects:**
* Maniyari ERM Irrigation Project (Chhattisgarh): Central Assistance - Rs. 3.62 Crore; Irrigation Potential - 14.52 thousand hectare.
* Kharung ERM (major) Project (Chhattisgarh): Central Assistance - Rs. 0 Crore; Irrigation Potential - 10.30 thousand hectare.
* Restoration & Modernisation of Main Ravi Canal (J&K): Central Assistance - Rs. 15.29 Crore; Irrigation Potential - 50.75 thousand hectare.
* NLBC System Project (Karnataka): Central Assistance - Rs. 929.4 Crore; Irrigation Potential - 105 thousand hectare.
* Rehabilitation of 1st Patiala Feeder and Kotla Branch Project: Central Assistance - Rs. 6.66 Crore; Irrigation Potential - 91.99 thousand hectare.
* Relining of Rajasthan Feeder (Punjab): Central Assistance - Rs. 540.00 Crore; Irrigation Potential - 82.37 thousand hectare.
* Relining of Sirhind Feeder: Central Assistance - Rs. 197.00 Crore; Irrigation Potential - 69.09 thousand hectare.
* Modernisation of Gang Canal (Rajasthan): Central Assistance - Rs. 30.74 Crore; Irrigation Potential - 69.69 thousand hectare.
* ERM of Shukla Irrigation (Assam): Central Assistance - Rs. 93.89 Crore; Irrigation Potential - 3.2 thousand hectare.
* ERM of Loktak Irrigation (Manipur): Central Assistance - Rs. 30.79 Crore; Irrigation Potential - 15.21 thousand hectare.
* **Chandauli Exclusion:**
* The Extension, Renovation, and Modernisation projects undertaken do not benefit Chandauli district of Uttar Pradesh.
**Impact Analysis**
**State Governments**
* **Impact:** Responsible for planning, executing, operating, and maintaining irrigation projects, including canals and embankments.
* **Action Required:** Continue to manage and maintain irrigation projects within their respective states.
**Farmers**
* **Impact:** Access to improved irrigation facilities through projects supported by the central government.
* **Action Required:** Benefit from the improved irrigation potential created or restored through these projects.
**Ministry of Jal Shakti**
* **Impact:** Oversees and provides technical and financial assistance to state governments for irrigation projects.
* **Action Required:** Continue to provide support through schemes like PMKSY-AIBP, while also acknowledging that state governments are primarily responsible.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): A national mission to improve farm productivity and water use efficiency, under which irrigation projects are undertaken.
Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP): A component of PMKSY focused on creation, restoration and stabilization of irrigation potential.
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The central ministry responsible for water resources, river development, and Ganga rejuvenation.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India where Chandauli district is located; the policy discusses irrigation projects within the state.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 49
ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026
REPAIRING OF CANALS AND EMBANKMENTS
†49. SHRI VIRENDRA SINGH:
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether canals and embankments which were laid under the Green Revolution so that farmers could
have access to irrigation facilities and contribute to the nation’s development by increasing their agricultural
production across the country are in a dilapidated condition at present and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the details of the budget provision made for the repairing of the said dilapidated canals; and
(c) the details of the budget allocated for the said work in Chandauli, an agriculturally dominant district of
Uttar Pradesh?
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 maintain the irrigation projects, including maintenance of embankments and canals. Role of
Government of India is limited to provide technical support, and partial financial assistance for identified
projects under the ongoing schemes.
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 of
irrigation projects are also undertaken under AIBP component of PMKSY.
There are 10 Extension, Renovation and Modernisation projects undertaken since 2016-17 under
PMKSY-AIBP. Details are given below. However, these ERM projects do not benefit Chandauli district of
Uttar Pradesh.
Central Assistance Irrigation potential
Sl. provided since 2016- created/restored/
Name of Project State
No 17 stabilized under the project
(Rs. Crore) (in thousand hectare)
1 Maniyari ERM Irrigation Project 3.62 14.52
Chhattisgarh
2 Kharung ERM (major) Project 0 10.30
Restoration &Modernisation of Main
3 J&K 15.29 50.75
Ravi Canal
4 NLBC System Project Karnataka 929.4 105
Rehabilitation of 1st Patiala Feeder
5 6.66 91.99
and Kotla Branch Project
Punjab
6 Relining of Rajasthan Feeder 540.00 82.37
7 Relining of Sirhind Feeder 197.00 69.09
8 Modernisation of Gang Canal Rajasthan 30.74 69.69
9 ERM of Shukla Irrigation Assam 93.89 3.2
10 ERM of Loktak Irrigation Manipur 30.79 15.21
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