Gujarat Launches Massive Nal Kantha Yojana to Boost Irrigation for Farmers
Gandhinagar, Sep 8: The Gujarat government just kicked off an exciting new project called Nal Kantha Yojana. This Rs 1,536.86 crore irrigation scheme promises to bring much-needed water to 39 villages in Sanand, Bavla, and Viramgam talukas of Ahmedabad district. It will cover a whopping 35,486 hectares of farmland, helping farmers grow more and earn better.
Water Resources Minister Rushikesh Patel shared these details while answering questions in the Assembly. He explained that the Nal Kantha Yojana will connect tail-end villages to the Narmada command area. Farmers will get reliable irrigation through a smart network of pipelines and canals. This ties in with the ongoing Narmada and Fatehwadi canal projects to make everything work smoothly.
A big part of the plan involves linking 23 lakes and earthen dams. This will help store and distribute water more effectively across Gujarat’s irrigation network.
The first phase is almost done, with Rs 377.65 crore invested so far. Workers have laid 22.78 km out of 26.18 km of MS pipeline as of July 31, 2025. Key highlights include lining the Godhavi-Goraj drain and connecting it to the Fatehwadi canal. The team also built links from the Dholka and Sanand branch canals, plus new pipelines up to the Ghoda feeder drain from the Saurashtra branch canal. These steps ensure water flows right where it’s needed.
Now, the government has allocated Rs 1,154.65 crore for the second phase and started the tender process. This stage will stretch the main pipeline to the remotest villages. It features a massive 348 km network—157 km of MS pipelines and 191 km of DI pipelines. To make distribution easy, sub-lines will branch off the main one. Irrigation water will reach fields through special outlets every 25 to 40 hectares.
Once fully up and running, the Nal Kantha Yojana could double farmers’ seasonal incomes by providing year-round water access. This is huge for Gujarat, where agriculture drives the economy. Around 62% of the state’s people rely on farming and related activities for their livelihood.
According to the latest Agriculture Census and government data, Gujarat has over 60 lakh farmers. Nearly 84% of them are small or marginal farmers with less than two hectares of land. The state’s total cultivable area spans about 98 lakh hectares. Farmers grow key crops like cotton, groundnut, bajra, wheat, maize, and pulses. They also thrive in horticulture with bananas, dates, mangoes, and a variety of vegetables.
This irrigation project could transform lives in rural Gujarat, making farming more sustainable and profitable. Stay tuned for updates on how it progresses!
