Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on July 18 announced a major irrigation development plan under the Assam Budget 2026, with an estimated investment of nearly Rs 4,000 crore over the next five years to establish a state-wide pressurised piped irrigation distribution system.
Sharing the details on X, the Chief Minister said the project is aimed at improving water management and boosting irrigation efficiency through the “Per Drop More Crop” approach. He highlighted that traditional open canal irrigation systems often suffer significant water losses due to seepage and evaporation, with nearly 40–50 per cent of water being wasted.
As the first step towards implementing the initiative, the state government will carry out a comprehensive study to assess the availability of surface water during the lean season in key rivers, including the Barak, Subansiri, Manas, Beki, Puthimari, Jia Bharali, Dhansiri and Kopili.
Following the assessment, the government plans to introduce small and medium-scale lift irrigation projects connected with pressurised pipeline networks. These systems will help deliver water more efficiently to agricultural fields while reducing wastage.
The Chief Minister said the new irrigation model will require less land compared to conventional canal-based systems, which will help minimise difficulties related to land acquisition and speed up project execution.
The initiative is expected to expand irrigation facilities, support higher farm output and improve the economic condition of farmers. The project forms part of the Assam government’s broader plan to strengthen agriculture and move towards its vision of a developed and self-reliant Assam.