Haryana’s ‘Water Secure Haryana’ project to receive Rs 4,000 Cr from World Bank; aims for state-wide water security by 2032 with modern irrigation systems

Around Rs. 4,000 crore ($500 million) of the ambitious “Water Secure Haryana” program, a historic endeavor worth approximately Rs. 5,700 crore, would be funded by the World Bank through its Program-for-Results (PforR) framework. With integrated, data-driven, and performance-based methods, the six-year program, which is anticipated to start in 2026, intends to revolutionize Haryana’s irrigation and water management systems.

In a meeting with World Bank officials today, Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi called the initiative a “paradigm shift” in the state’s water management strategy. According to him, the project will be crucial to realizing the goal of making Haryana the first state in India to be completely water-secure by the program’s conclusion, which is in 2032.

Highlighting that this project will include a Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) component, the Chief Secretary asked the World Bank team to contribute their insightful recommendations in this regard. “It is not just an irrigation project—it is Haryana’s blueprint to become India’s first truly water-secure state,” a top World Bank representative said of the initiative.

Complete Coverage in 18 Districts

In 18 districts, the initiative will directly intervene in 14 important irrigation clusters, encompassing 363,546 hectares of Culturable Command Area (CCA). The remaining districts in Haryana will receive financing from NABARD, the State Budget, or other sources in a similar manner. All 22 districts of Haryana would gain from the planned and institutional improvements, while the physical interventions will concentrate on particular clusters.

Essential Elements and Investing

Infrastructure modernization (2,325Cr): Advanced automation and real-time monitoring systems such as RTDAS and SCADA will be installed in 1,798 kilometers of canals spread over 14 critical irrigation clusters.

The construction of new water bodies (320Cr) will improve groundwater recharge by revitalizing over 80 water bodies spread across several districts of Southern Haryana.

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In order to irrigate 11,500 hectares of agriculture, water from four significant sewage treatment plants in Jind, Kaithal, and Gurugram would be treated and repurposed (at a cost of 280 crore).

1,350 crore for water courses and micro-irrigation systems:

In 14 critical irrigation clusters that have been identified, cluster-based micro-irrigation systems, including water course restoration, will be put into place with the active involvement of Water User Associations (WUAs). Community-led water management will be ensured through the formation and strengthening of Water User Associations (WUAs). For this initiative, the Irrigation Department and MICADA officials will work together to arrange farmer consultation meetings in order to achieve shared outcomes.

Crop Diversification (MPMV), Direct Seeded Rice (DSR), and other initiatives will be used by the Agriculture Department to advance sustainable agriculture throughout 14 important irrigation clusters (450Cr).

436Cr Drainage Solutions:

In the almost two lac acres of the State’s remaining waterlogged area, the Agriculture Department will develop vertical and subsurface drainage systems to manage soil salinity and waterlogging.

Natural Drainage (398Cr):

In order to further contribute to the state’s water security, the Forest Department will conduct Bio-Drainage in water-logged areas of the state with the help of the World Bank and with proper coordination.