2 Lakh Acres to Come Under Watershed Development, CM Saini Reviews PMKSY Progress

Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that proposals should be prepared with a target of covering more than 2 lakh acres of land in the state under the Watershed Development Component, while ensuring the inclusion of as many blocks as possible.

The Chief Minister was chairing a review meeting on the Watershed Development Component (WDC) of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) 2.0. Chief Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Sh. Rajesh Khullar, was also present in the meeting.

The Chief Minister said that maximum number of farmers in the state should be encouraged to adopt drip irrigation for sugarcane cultivation. He further directed that sites in the Morni and Shivalik areas be identified for construction of check dams and for water conservation and drinking water activities, so that rainwater can be collected and effectively utilised for drinking water schemes.

Sh. Saini conducted a detailed review of the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme, Har Khet Ko Pani, Per Drop More Crop, Watershed Development Component, Intensive Watershed Development Management Programme, land and water conservation activities and the Atal Bhujal Yojana. He issued necessary directions to the officers regarding irrigation, groundwater recharge, and conservation and utilisation of rainwater.

*₹40 Crore Spent on Micro-Watershed Works in 74 Villages of 9 Blocks*

The Chief Minister said that under the Watershed Development Component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, ₹40 crore has been spent on micro-watershed works in 74 villages across nine blocks—Bahal, Loharu, Badhra, Nangal Chaudhary, Mahendragarh, Sohna, Pataudi, Chhachhrauli and Sadhaura—in five districts of the state, namely Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Mahendragarh, Gurugram and Yamunanagar.

He said that 531 works have been undertaken under various water conservation activities, including rainwater harvesting ponds, water tanks, recharge bores, percolation ponds, soak pits, renovation of village ponds, construction of ramps for ponds, rooftop rainwater harvesting, underground pipelines, open water channels, water storage tanks, desilting of earthen dams, construction of new community ponds, construction of new wastewater channels and water management systems.

These include 229 works in Bhiwani district, 82 in Charkhi Dadri, 107 in Gurugram, 77 in Mahendragarh and 36 in Yamunanagar.

The Chief Minister said that under the water conservation activities being implemented in the state, 70 water reservoirs have been created over 421.79 acres of land. In addition, 131 water reservoirs have been proposed under the Water Secure Haryana Programme. These water conservation works have made recharge and irrigation facilities available over approximately 77,500 acres of land for farmers in the state.

*40,405 Farmers Adopted Drip Irrigation Under Atal Bhujal Yojana*

He said that 1,000 borewells have been installed at a cost of ₹35 crore in the blocks of Babain, Shahabad, Thanesar, Pipli, Ismailabad, Guhla, Siwan, Ratia and Sirsa. In addition, 847 more borewells are being installed in Sirsa, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Hisar and Fatehabad.

Other works undertaken include check dams, recharge wells, dams and embankments, safety walls, renovation of water bodies and dro structures.

Under the Atal Bhujal Yojana, drip irrigation has been adopted by 40,405 farmers covering 77,175 hectares of land.

Additional Chief Secretary Sh. Anurag Agarwal, Additional Chief Secretary Sh. Vijayendra Kumar, Deputy Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Dr. Yashpal, Director, Development and Panchayats, Sh. Sushil Sarwan, CEO, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Sh. Mahavir Kaushik, and several other senior officers were present in the meeting.