NABARD Sanctions Two Major Irrigation Projects Worth Over ₹2,606 Crore in Madhya Pradesh

Bhopal: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned two major irrigation projects in Madhya Pradesh under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF-XXXII).

The first project, the Kukshi Micro Lift Irrigation Project in Dhar district, has been sanctioned financial assistance of ₹1,500 crore. The project will provide irrigation facilities to a command area of 75,000 hectares across 247 villages in the Kukshi, Manawar, Gandhwani and Dahi tehsils of Dhar district, benefiting approximately 1.40 lakh farmers.

The second project, the Chinki-Boras Barrage Integrated Multipurpose Project – Part III, has been sanctioned financial assistance of ₹1,106.04 crore. The project will provide irrigation facilities to 50,977 hectares across 145 villages in the districts of Narsinghpur, Raisen and Narmadapuram, benefiting approximately 30,618 farmers. The project also includes the development of the 25 MW Chinki Hydropower Plant.

These projects are expected to enhance agricultural productivity, promote crop diversification, improve water-use efficiency, and strengthen farmers’ resilience to climate change, droughts, and rainfall variability.

Since its inception in 1995, the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) has served as a key instrument for financing rural infrastructure development in Madhya Pradesh. As on date, NABARD has sanctioned cumulative financial assistance of ₹47,749 crore under RIDF in the State, out of which ₹38,624 crore has been disbursed. The projects financed under RIDF span sectors such as agriculture, irrigation, rural connectivity, drinking water, social infrastructure and other rural development initiatives.

Sharing this information, Smt. C. Saraswathi, Chief General Manager, NABARD, stated that NABARD remains committed to supporting the development of rural infrastructure through RIDF and ensuring inclusive and sustainable growth in rural India.

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