On July 18, 2026, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced a major irrigation push under the Assam Budget 2026: the state will invest nearly Rs 4,000 crore over the next five years to build a pressurised piped irrigation distribution network across Assam. Sharing the plan on X, the Chief Minister said the move-part of a “Per Drop More Crop” strategy-aims to minimise water loss and raise irrigation efficiency statewide.
Sarma noted that conventional open canal systems lose nearly 40–50% of water to seepage and evaporation, a loss the government says the new piped network will significantly reduce. The proposed pressurised system, which delivers water through enclosed pipes under pressure, requires less land than open canals, easing land-acquisition challenges and allowing faster implementation, the Chief Minister added.
The state will begin with a detailed assessment of lean-season surface water availability in key rivers, including the Barak, Subansiri, Manas, Beki, Puthimari, Jia Bharali, Dhansiri and Kopili. Using those findings, Assam plans to roll out small and medium lift irrigation schemes linked to pressurised piped distribution to provide reliable irrigation to agricultural land.
Officials say the approach will expand irrigation coverage, boost agricultural productivity and strengthen farmers’ livelihoods, fitting into the government’s broader vision of building a Viksit Assam. The five-year, nearly Rs 4,000 crore investment under the 2026 budget sets the timeline for planning, assessments and phased implementation across the state.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/assam-to-invest-rs-4000-crore-in-pressurised-irrigation-network-over-five-years-himanta-biswa-sarma-1426536-2026-07-18?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2026-07-18 20:44:00
