**Summary:**
The Ministry of Jal Shakti is addressing concerns regarding the unavailability of allocated irrigation water in the Gang Canal, which has led to protests and hunger strikes by farmers in Sri Ganganagar. According to the State Government of Rajasthan, the actual water supply in the Gang Canal was lower than the allocated share in June 2025, primarily due to the reduced capacity of the Ferozepur Feeder Canal, which feeds the Gang Canal. To resolve this issue, the Ministry of Jal Shakti is coordinating with the State Governments. A project proposed by the State Government for the relining/rehabilitation of the Ferozepur Feeder Canal has been considered and accepted by the Advisory Committee of the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation on irrigation, flood control, and multipurpose projects in its 158th meeting held on April 24, 2025. The Ministry, under the leadership of the Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary, is taking steps to ensure the availability of irrigation water in the Gang Canal as per the allocated share and to address future water shortage issues in Sri Ganganagar.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Jal Shakti: The Indian government ministry responsible for water resources and sanitation.
Department of Water Resources, River Development Ganga Rejuvenation: A department within the Ministry of Jal Shakti focused on water resources, river development, and Ganga rejuvenation.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was addressed.
Shri Kuldeep Indora: The Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question.
Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan: A city in Rajasthan where farmers protested over irrigation water unavailability.
Gangnahar: A canal in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, that is the subject of the irrigation water allocation issue.
Rajasthan: The State Government involved in addressing the water shortage issue.
Ferozepur Feeder Canal: A canal that feeds the Gang Canal and is experiencing reduced capacity.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI
DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1929
ANSWERED ON 31.07.2025
UNAVAILABILITY OF IRRIGATION WATER
†1929. SHRI KULDEEP INDORA
Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the recent hunger strikes and protests by farmers of Sri
Ganganagar on the issue of unavailability of irrigation water in Gangnahar as per the allocated share and if
so, the details thereof;
(b) the steps taken by the Government to ensure the availability of irrigation water in the Gangnahar as per
the allocated share;
(c) whether the Government is considering any action plan to address such irrigation water shortage issues
in Sri Ganganagar in the future; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI
(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)
(a) to (d) Protests and hunger strikes by the farmers of Sri Ganganagar have been reported for supply of
allocated irrigation water in Gang Canal. As per the State Government of Rajasthan, the actual supply in
Gang canal was lower than the allocated share in June, 2025, attributed primarily to the reduced capacity of
the Ferozepur Feeder Canal, which feeds the Gang Canal. To address this, this Ministry along with both the
State Governments are coordinating the efforts.
A project for relining/rehabilitation of the Ferozepur Feeder Canal has been proposed by the State
Government. Advisory Committee of Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga
Rejuvenation on irrigation, flood control and multipurpose project has considered and accepted the project
in its 158th meeting held on 24.04.2025.
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