Assam Pours Rs 4,000 Crore Into New Irrigation Network

Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a Rs 4,000 crore investment for a new irrigation system on July 18. The project will roll out over five years. It aims to replace leaky open canals with a pressurised piped network. Traditional canals lose up to 50 percent of their water to seepage and evaporation. This new plan seeks to fix that.

The initiative follows the Per Drop More Crop approach. Sarma shared the details on X. He stated the project is vital for the state, noting, "The initiative aims to minimise water loss and improve irrigation efficiency under the 'Per Drop More Crop' approach."

Officials will first study lean-season water levels in several key rivers. The list includes the Barak, Subansiri, Manas, and Beki. It also covers the Puthimari, Jia Bharali, Dhansiri, and Kopili. Once the assessment ends, the state will build small and medium lift irrigation schemes. Pipelines will carry the water directly to farms.

Pipes save space. This means fewer land acquisition headaches and faster work. The project aims to boost farm output and lift farmer incomes. It is a core piece of the government plan to build a Viksit Assam under the Assam Budget 2026.