Govt approves Rs 2,140 cr WB-assisted watershed project

Seeking to enhance access to irrigation facilities to the farmers, a World Bank-assisted watershed project with an outlay of over Rs 2,140 crore was approved by the government today.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its nod to implement the World Bank (WB)-assisted National Watershed Management Project "Neeranchal" with a total outlay of USD 357 million (Rs 2142.30 crore).
The proposed project will be implemented at the national level as well as in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan and Telangana, an official statement said.
The government's share of 50 per cent will be Rs 1071.15 crore and remaining is loan component from the World Bank.

"Neeranchal", Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari said after the meeting, is aimed at achieving major objectives of the watershed component of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayi Yojana (PMKSY) and for ensuring access to irrigation to every farmland (Har Khet Ko Pani) and efficient use of water (Per Drop More Crop).
"Neeranchal will translate into better implementation outcomes of PMKSY. The programme will lead to reducing surface runoff of rainwater, increasing recharge of ground water and better availability of water in rainfed areas resulting in incremental rainfed agriculture productivity, enhanced milk yield and increased cropping intensity through better convergence related programmes in project areas," the statement said.