In a major step towards transforming the agricultural landscape of Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri announced that two vital medium-scale irrigation projects, worth a combined ₹558 crore, have received technical clearance from the Central Government. This critical milestone paves the way for much-needed irrigation infrastructure that will directly benefit over 160 villages spread across Jawali, Shahpur, Jwalamukhi, and Dehra constituencies, impacting thousands of farmers who have long depended on unpredictable rainfall for their livelihood.
The projects, described as game changers for Kangra’s farming community, are set to provide a lifeline to traditionally rain-fed agricultural areas that have faced repeated challenges due to water scarcity. The ₹219 crore Sukhaahar Medium Irrigation Project, approved for implementation in the Jawali Assembly Constituency, is designed to irrigate 2,186 hectares of farmland across 45 villages in the Jawali and Shahpur regions. With an estimated 24,120 rural residents set to benefit, this project is being viewed as a much-awaited solution for enhancing productivity and ensuring sustainable livelihoods in the region.
Complementing this effort is a ₹339 crore medium irrigation scheme covering parts of Jwalamukhi and Dehra Assembly Constituencies. The project is expected to bring assured irrigation to 116 villages, fundamentally altering the agricultural prospects of thousands of small and marginal farmers in these water-deficient zones. The Deputy Chief Minister emphasized that these irrigation projects will not only increase agricultural output but will also help generate direct and indirect employment opportunities for the local population. Priority will be given to skilled youth from the region for involvement in construction and technical operations, with dedicated training modules planned to build capacity at the grassroots level.
Highlighting the long-term vision behind these schemes, Shri Agnihotri stated that the projects aim to conserve groundwater, improve water-use efficiency, and promote crop diversification. This focus on sustainable irrigation solutions is also aligned with broader efforts to climate-proof agriculture in the face of increasing environmental challenges. As the effects of climate change become more visible, such interventions are crucial for securing food systems and farmer incomes.
The Deputy Chief Minister further assured that the process of securing financial sanctions from the Centre has already begun and will be fast-tracked to ensure timely execution. Directives have been issued to the concerned departments for transparent and time-bound implementation of both projects, with a firm resolve to remove bureaucratic delays and ensure on-ground impact as early as possible.
Reaffirming the state government’s unwavering commitment to farmers’ welfare, Shri Agnihotri underlined that these efforts are part of the mission to realize the dream of “Har Khet Ko Pani” — water for every field. He emphasized that under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the government is actively collaborating with the Centre to create secure and prosperous futures for the state’s agrarian communities. The projects stand not just as infrastructure upgrades but as a vision of hope and prosperity for thousands of Himachali farmers.
This is a web-generated news web story.
#KangraIrrigation #HimachalFarmers #MukeshAgnihotri #AgricultureBoost #Jawali #Shahpur #Jwalamukhi #Dehra #HarKhetKoPani #RuralDevelopment #PeopleFirst
