Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has unveiled an ambitious roadmap to transform irrigation practices across the state, placing water conservation and modern farming technology at the centre of Haryana’s long-term agricultural strategy. In a major policy push under the Haryana Vision-2047 framework, the Chief Minister has directed the Irrigation and Water Resources Department to implement large-scale micro-irrigation systems and community-based water storage infrastructure aimed at ensuring that irrigation water reaches every farm while reducing groundwater dependence.

Chairing a high-level review meeting at the Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh, the Chief Minister stressed that the future of Indian agriculture would depend not merely on expanding cultivation but on managing limited water resources with scientific precision. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Per Drop More Crop” vision, Saini said Haryana must move beyond traditional irrigation methods and adopt global best practices followed by water-scarce developed nations such as Israel.

At the heart of the new strategy is a plan to encourage groups of farmers to jointly construct irrigation tanks for agricultural clusters of 10 acres or more. These tanks will be filled with canal water through pipeline-based systems and linked directly to micro-irrigation networks including drip and sprinkler technologies. The Haryana government will provide up to 85 percent subsidy for the construction of these collective tanks, making the initiative financially accessible to farmers.

The government believes the model could significantly reduce excessive groundwater extraction and dependence on tube wells, while also lowering electricity consumption associated with traditional irrigation methods. According to officials, solar panels will also be installed over these community tanks, enabling energy-efficient irrigation systems that can provide farmers with flexible access to water whenever needed.

The Chief Minister said the first phase of implementation would begin in nine districts considered vulnerable to water stress and groundwater depletion. These include Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Gurugram, Mahendragarh, Nuh, Rewari, Hisar, Jhajjar and Sirsa. Officials have been instructed to organise farmer groups and begin planning tank-based irrigation infrastructure on priority basis.

Saini emphasised that the government’s objective was not only to conserve water but also to reduce the financial burden on farmers. He said once the new irrigation system becomes operational, farmers would no longer need to spend large amounts on digging borewells or installing tube wells. Instead, canal-fed micro-irrigation systems would ensure reliable and cost-effective water supply directly to fields.

The Chief Minister also underlined the need to discourage the practice of flood irrigation, where large quantities of water are released openly into fields, leading to enormous wastage. By shifting towards precision irrigation systems, Haryana hopes to irrigate larger agricultural areas using significantly less water.

In a notable move, the government has decided to begin micro-irrigation implementation this year itself in water-intensive crops such as sugarcane and cotton. Officials were also asked to explore state-wide tenders for converting entire villages to micro-irrigation systems by the end of the current year. The plan may involve partnerships with modern agri-technology and smart irrigation companies capable of delivering digitally managed irrigation solutions.

The meeting also focused on long-term water management and canal modernisation. The Chief Minister directed the Irrigation Department to prepare a detailed plan for repairing and reconstructing ageing canal networks across Haryana to prevent leakage and water loss. Monthly monitoring mechanisms will now be introduced to track how much water is being saved and how many farmers are benefiting from the reforms.

Another major aspect of the meeting was skill development. Additional Chief Secretary Anurag Agarwal informed the Chief Minister that Haryana currently faces a shortage of technically trained manpower in the micro-irrigation sector. In response, Saini directed that a new micro-irrigation trade be introduced in all Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across the state from this year onwards. The government believes this step will create employment opportunities for youth while simultaneously building a skilled workforce capable of supporting Haryana’s irrigation modernisation programme.

The Chief Minister also called for closer coordination between the Agriculture and Irrigation Departments to educate farmers about water-efficient farming practices. He said awareness campaigns must explain to farmers that modern irrigation systems can reduce costs, improve productivity and protect groundwater reserves for future generations.

In addition, the government is now exploring wider use of treated sewage water for agricultural irrigation. Officials were instructed to examine how recycled water from sewage treatment plants could be safely integrated into irrigation networks to reduce pressure on freshwater resources.

Political observers view the initiative as one of Haryana’s most ambitious water-management reforms in recent years. With climate change, declining groundwater tables and rising agricultural demand placing increasing pressure on water resources, the state government appears to be positioning micro-irrigation and precision farming as key pillars of Haryana’s agricultural future.

The announcement also reflects a broader shift in Indian agriculture policy, where sustainability, technology and resource efficiency are gradually becoming as important as production itself. For Haryana — a state that has long been at the centre of India’s food security system — the success of such reforms could shape not only the future of farming in the region but also offer a model for water-stressed states across the country.

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has directed officials to prepare an ambitious and time-bound roadmap aimed at ensuring clean drinking water and modern sewerage facilities for every household across the state, positioning the initiative as a key pillar of Haryana’s long-term development strategy under “Vision 2047”.

Chairing a high-level review meeting of the Public Health Engineering Department at the Haryana Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh, the Chief Minister stressed that access to safe drinking water and efficient sanitation infrastructure should not remain limited to urban centres alone, but must reach villages, newly regularised colonies, and beneficiaries of government-allotted residential plots as well.

The meeting focused on the department’s five-year action plan, which forms part of Haryana’s broader Vision 2047 framework — a long-term governance and infrastructure strategy aligned with India’s centenary of independence. Officials presented detailed proposals covering expansion of water supply networks, sewerage connectivity, centralised sewage treatment systems, reuse of treated wastewater, and the integration of artificial intelligence-enabled grievance monitoring systems.

During the review, the Chief Minister underlined that drinking water was not merely a utility service but a fundamental necessity linked directly to public health and quality of life. He instructed the department to formulate a plan to establish a water treatment plant for every population cluster of 5,000 people and to ensure canal-based water supply to all water works wherever feasible.

He also emphasised that basic civic facilities such as drinking water, sewerage, electricity, and roads must be provided on priority in all legalised colonies and in residential areas where economically weaker families have been allotted 100-square-yard plots under government welfare schemes.

Officials informed the Chief Minister that the department’s future roadmap includes strengthening the state’s water infrastructure through improved pipeline systems, expansion of sewerage networks, scientific wastewater management, and modern digital monitoring tools aimed at increasing efficiency and accountability.

In a significant policy direction, Nayab Singh Saini advocated the creation of future-ready “smart cities” capable of delivering uninterrupted 24-hour drinking water supply. He suggested that pilot projects be launched in one or two major cities, including Gurugram, where all households would be equipped with metered water connections to study consumption patterns and improve water management systems.

The Chief Minister also raised concerns over large-scale water wastage caused by evaporation in open canal systems. He directed officials to explore bringing canal water to treatment facilities through pipelines wherever possible in order to minimise losses and improve efficiency.

Apart from drinking water supply, the meeting placed strong emphasis on expanding sewerage infrastructure throughout Haryana. Saini instructed officials to ensure that every village, town, and residential colony receives proper sewerage connectivity. He also asked departments to identify ageing sewerage systems requiring urgent repair or replacement and to accelerate such works through mechanised construction methods in order to minimise public inconvenience caused by prolonged road digging.

Highlighting the importance of future planning, the Chief Minister noted that sewerage lines are generally designed to last for several decades and therefore must be constructed with adequate capacity to meet future population growth and urban expansion.

The government is also exploring plans for the reuse of treated wastewater in industrial operations and agricultural activities — an increasingly important issue as states across India face mounting pressure on freshwater resources amid climate change and rapid urbanisation.

One of the major governance concerns raised during the meeting was the repeated excavation of roads by different departments for laying pipelines, internet cables, gas lines, and utility infrastructure. The Chief Minister observed that the absence of coordination often leads to financial losses, traffic disruptions, and inconvenience for citizens. To address this, he proposed the creation of a dedicated coordinating authority or regulatory mechanism under which no road excavation work would be allowed without prior approval and integrated planning.

Senior bureaucrats, including Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi and other top officials, attended the meeting along with representatives from departments linked to future planning, infrastructure, and urban development.

Political observers view the government’s renewed emphasis on drinking water, sewerage, and civic infrastructure as part of a broader effort to project Haryana as a model state focused on urban modernisation, rural connectivity, and public welfare ahead of the state’s long-term development goals.

The latest directives also come at a time when Indian states are increasingly being challenged by rapid urban growth, water scarcity, ageing civic infrastructure, and rising public expectations for better governance and service delivery.