Rajasthan: Rivers, lakes and dams

Rajasthan depends on large canal projects, multipurpose dams and inter-state river agreements for irrigation and drinking water, with micro-irrigation (sprinkler and drip) made central in new projects. Its lakes range from the sacred Pushkar Lake to the salt lake at Sambhar. Figures are from the Economic Review 2025-26; lake facts from Rajasthan Tourism.

Major Irrigation Projects

• Indira Gandhi Nahar Project (IGNP): Known as the lifeline of Western Rajasthan, it irrigates 16.17 lakh hectares of Culturable Command Area (CCA). It aims to irrigate desert land with Himalayan water and provide drinking water. In 2025-26 (up to December), 546.84 crore was incurred against a budget of 1106.36 crore.
• Narmada Canal Project: The first major irrigation project in India where sprinkler irrigation is mandatory in the entire command area of 2.46 lakh hectares covering 233 villages in Jalore and Barmer districts. It supplies drinking water to 37.48 lakh people in 1,541 villages and three towns (Jalore, Bhinmal, Sanchor). The revised cost is 3,124 crore.
• Parwan Major Multipurpose Project: Located on the River Parwan in Jhalawar district. It provides irrigation over 2.01 lakh hectares CCA in 571 villages of Jhalawar, Baran, and Kota districts. The project uses SCADA controlled pressurized pipe and sprinkler irrigation. Power is supplied by a proposed solar power plant. The revised sanction is 7,355.23 crore.
• Upper High Level Canal (Mahi): Creates irrigation facilities via a micro-irrigation system through a 105 km main canal from "saddle" dam no.1 of the Mahi project. It covers 41,903 hectares in 338 villages of Banswara, Kushalgarh, and Bagidora constituencies. Total cost is 2,500 crore.
• Dholpur Lift Project: A lift irrigation and drinking water project on a micro-irrigation system. It irrigates 39,980 hectares CCA in Dholpur district and includes a 30 MW solar power generation plant. Expected completion is June 2026.
• Kaliteer Lift Project: Meets drinking water demand for 483 villages and 3 towns (Bari, Baseri, Sarmathura) in Dholpur district. It lifts 98.60 million cubic meters of water from the Chambal River near Village Kaliteer during the monsoon.

Medium Irrigation Projects

• Gardada Irrigation Project: Located on the Mangli Dungri River and Ganesh Nala in Bundi district. The dam is 4.37 km long with a storage capacity of 44.38 million cubic meters (8 million cubic meters reserved for drinking water). It irrigates 9,161 hectares in 44 villages.
• Gagarin Irrigation Project: Located on the Ahu River in Jhalawar district. The dam has a full reservoir capacity of 52.60 million cubic meters (10 million cubic meters for drinking water). It irrigates 9,999.83 hectares in 32 villages. Scheduled for completion by June 2026.

Inter-State and River Basin Projects

• Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Link Project: Diverts surplus water from Chambal tributaries (Kunnu, Kul, Parvati, Kalisindh, Mej) to Banas, Morel, Banganga, and other basins. An MoU was signed on 28th January, 2024. The Rajasthan portion of the DPR costs 89,644 crore.
• Key Components: Construction of Navnera Barrage and Isarda Dam is completed. Work worth 9,416.70 crore is underway for packages including Ramgarh Barrage, Mahalpur Barrage, and Navnera Pump House.
• Yamuna Water Agreement: Based on the May 1994 agreement, Rajasthan is allocated 1,917 cusecs (annual 577 MCM) at Tajewala Head (Hathini Kund Barrage) during the monsoon (July to October). An MoU signed on 17th February, 2024 between Rajasthan and Haryana aims to bring this water to Sikar, Churu, and Jhunjhunu via underground systems.
• Firozpur Feeder Reconstruction: The estimated capacity is 11,192 cusecs, currently reduced to 9,500 cusecs due to maintenance issues. The DPR was approved on 24th April, 2025. Total cost is 647.62 crore, with Rajasthan’s share at 268.50 crore (41.46 per cent). It benefits 3.14 lakh hectares of Gang canal and 2.92 lakh hectares of Bhakra canal areas.

Lakes and River Fronts

• Jaisamand Lake: Known as the second largest man-made sweet water lake in Asia.
• Sambhar Lake: One of the largest inland salt lakes, about 70 kms from Jaipur.
• Pushkar Lake: Described in Hindu scriptures as Tirtha Raj, the king of pilgrimage sites.
• Gadisar Lake (Jaisalmer): Built in the 14th century by Maharawal Gadsi Singh.
• Lake Pichola (Udaipur): The island palace Jagmandir was begun in 1620 and completed around 1652, and was used by the royal family as a summer resort.
• Kishore Sagar Lake (Kota): Located in the middle of the lake is the Jagmandir Palace, built between 1743 and 1745 by a queen of Kota. It is built of red sandstone. The Keshar Bagh near the palace is known for royal cenotaphs.
• Chambal River Front (Kota): Developed over 2.75 km from Kota Barrage to Nayapura Pulia. It is the first heritage river front developed in India. 26 ghats have been constructed, including the World Heritage Ghat featuring artwork of nine famous buildings from different countries.
• Banas River (Nathdwara): In 1672, Lord Shrinathji was placed in a new temple in village Sihad (now Nathdwara) on the banks of the Banas River.

Irrigation Schemes and Expenditure

• Micro-Irrigation Subsidy: General farmers receive a 70 per cent subsidy. SC/ST/Women/Small and marginal farmers receive a 75 per cent subsidy.
• 2025-26 Expenditure: In 2025-26 (up to December), an expenditure of 2,765.05 crore was incurred against a provision of 6,028.74 crore (excluding the Indira Gandhi Canal Project). Additional irrigation potential of 23,320 hectares was created.