Centre Approves Rs 1,600 Crore for Modernising Irrigation Water Supply Network in FY26
New Delhi(The Uttam Hindu): The government has approved the modernisation of the command area development and water management scheme (M-CADWM) under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), with an initial outlay of Rs 1,600 crore for FY26. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, announced that these projects will be made sustainable through Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) to Water User Societies (WUS) for managing irrigation assets. As part of the initiative, Water User Societies will receive handholding support to connect with existing economic entities like Farmers Producer Organisations (FPOs) or Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS) for five years. Additionally, the scheme aims to encourage youth participation in farming, particularly in adopting modern irrigation techniques.
The scheme’s focus is on modernising the irrigation water supply network, delivering water from existing canals or other sources to designated clusters. It will create strong infrastructure for micro-irrigation, providing farmers with underground pressurised piped irrigation systems, covering up to one hectare per farm. A government statement revealed that technologies like SCADA and the Internet of Things (IoT) will be used for water accounting and management. This approach will boost water use efficiency (WUE), increase agricultural productivity, and enhance farmers' incomes.
The Cabinet also mentioned that initial pilot projects will be launched across different agro-climatic zones through challenge funding to states. Based on the insights gathered from these projects, the National Plan for Command Area Development and Water Management will be introduced in April 2026 for the 16th Finance Commission period. In a related development, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) recently approved the Kosi Mechi Intra-State Link Project in Bihar under PMKSY-AIBP. The CCEA also sanctioned Rs 3,652.56 crore in Central support for completing the project by March 2029, with an estimated cost of Rs 6,282.32 crore.
