CM Yadav has said that continuous expansion of irrigation is essential for farmers’ prosperity and to bring positive transformation in the state’s economy.
CM Yadav directed the Water Resources Department and all concerned agencies to work swiftly towards this goal. At present, irrigation through government sources has expanded to more than 5.2 million hectares. The Chief Minister emphasized that work should be carried out with the target of doubling this coverage so that within the next three years, irrigation reaches 10 million hectares across Madhya Pradesh.
CM Yadav highlighted that water from the Water Resources Department is not only used in agriculture but also in industries, drinking water supply, and power generation. He stressed that full priority must be given to the optimal use of resources to achieve the target of 10 million hectares under irrigation. During the review, he also received updates on various projects that are contributing to irrigation expansion.
Prime Minister Shri Modi’s Beneficial Provisions
The Chief Minister described inter-state river-linking projects such as the Ken–Betwa National Project and the revised Parvati–Kali Sindh–Chambal Link Project as highly beneficial, saying their implementation will transform nearly half the districts of the state. Work has also begun on intra-state river-linking projects to yield benefits within Madhya Pradesh.
CM Yadav said that the dream of linking rivers was envisioned by Bharat Ratna former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and is now being realized by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. The Government of India currently provides 90% funding for such projects, a highly advantageous provision. He noted that under PM Modi’s vision, states are being encouraged to take up such initiatives, which will expand irrigation and bring prosperity. He directed the Water Resources Department to survey and study possibilities of intra-state river linking and prepare reports to be sent to the central government for approval.
Review of Simhastha 2028 Preparations
During the meeting, the Chief Minister also reviewed works related to Simhastha 2028, including Shipra purification, river and water body development, and construction of ghats. It was informed that ghats are being constructed along a 30 km stretch of the Shipra River, with the goal to complete all works by 2027. These ghats will enable nearly 50 million devotees to take holy dips in a single day during Simhastha. Barrage construction works on the Shipra were also reviewed.
Notable Growth in Irrigation
The meeting was informed that irrigated area in the state increased from 4.456 million hectares in Rabi 2023–24 to 5.206 million hectares in Rabi 2025–26, marking a rise of 0.75 million hectares in just one and a half years. Of this, 0.239 million hectares were added through the Water Resources Department and 0.511 million hectares through the Narmada Valley Development Department.
It was also reported that within the next five years, 38 irrigation projects worth more than ₹20 billion will be completed, expanding irrigation by 1.733 million hectares. This year alone, irrigation will expand by over 0.2 million hectares, supported by projects such as the Mohanpura Left Bank Canal Project (Rajgarh), Chanderi Micro-Irrigation Project (Ashoknagar), Pancham Nagar Irrigation Project (Damoh & Sagar), Tyonthar Flow Scheme (Rewa), and Ghoghari Medium Project (Betul).
The review meeting was attended by Water Resources Minister Shri Tulsiram Silawat, Chief Secretary Shri Anurag Jain, Additional Chief Secretary (Water Resources and Narmada Valley Development) Dr. Rajesh Rajora, along with other officials.