World Bank okays ₹5k-cr ‘secure water programme’ for Haryana

Stating this at a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee-C (SFC-C) to review the programme, chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday said 15 clusters covering 48.9 lakh acres will be developed across Haryana over six years from 2026 to 2032

The World Bank approved a ₹5714 crore “Water Secure Haryana Programme” aimed at strengthening water management and helping the state become self reliant.

Of the total project cost, ₹4,000 crore will come as a World Bank loan, while the remaining ₹1,714 crore will be funded by the state government. (HT File)

Stating this at a meeting of the Standing Finance Committee-C (SFC-C) to review the programme, chief minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday said 15 clusters covering 48.9 lakh acres will be developed across Haryana over six years from 2026 to 2032.

Of the total project cost, ₹4,000 crore will come as a World Bank loan, while the remaining ₹1,714 crore will be funded by the state government.

The programme will focus on integrated water resources management, rehabilitation of the canal network, groundwater recharge, water conservation and promoting sustainable agriculture, Saini said.

An official spokesperson said that104 canals will be rehabilitated at a cost of ₹2,484 crore with World Bank assistance. Another 620 watercourses will be rehabilitated through the Micro Irrigation and Command Area Development Authority (MICADA), providing irrigation facilities to 3.18 lakh acres.

The programme also includes 120 canal-based micro-irrigation projects and reclamation of around two lakh acres of waterlogged land.

The government plans to promote direct seeded rice (DSR) over five lakh acres and crop diversification on 1.12 lakh acres as part of efforts to reduce water consumption and encourage sustainable farming.

Safe mobility our top priority: Saini

Haryana CM on Saturday said that ensuring safe, smooth and uninterrupted mobility for citizens is the government’s top priority.

While reviewing the status of 2025-26 road works projects at a meeting with senior officers of 10 key departments at Chandigarh, the CM directed officers to ensure that all road construction, widening and repair works across the state are completed within the stipulated timelines, with no compromise on either quality or the pace of execution. Officers from PWD, HSAMB, panchayati raj department, metropolitan development authority of Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonepat, Panchkula, HSVP, HSIIDC and urban local bodies department attended the meeting.

Complaints on ‘Hamari Sadak’

App to be addressed on priority

Reviewing the functioning of the ‘Hamari Sadak’ mobile app, the CM directed officers to ensure that complaints lodged by citizens regarding potholes and damaged roads are addressed promptly and on priority.

He directed that potholes be filled without delay and that reports of the repair work carried out must mandatorily be uploaded on the app. He made it clear that any officer or employee found negligent in resolving complaints or uploading the action taken would face strict disciplinary action.

Saini directed the PWD and other concerned agencies to ensure mapping of all roads so that an accurate record of the condition and maintenance of each road is available.

Taking a firm stand against delays, Saini said contractors failing to complete works within the stipulated timeframe would be penalised. Those found compromising on prescribed quality standards would face registration of an FIR and blacklisting. The CM said better industrial infrastructure would not only make transportation easier for entrepreneurs and traders but also create new opportunities for investment and employment in Haryana.

Reviewing the availability of road construction material, the CM directed that road works should not be held up if there is a delay in the supply of bitumen. In such cases, the roads should instead be constructed using cement concrete technology.

Saini to launch Tiranga Yatra

from Kurukshetra on Monday

The CM will launch a state-wide Tiranga Yatra from Kurukshetra on Monday.

The yatra will start from Sector 2 and conclude at the Martyrs’ Memorial in the mini secretariat via police lines and the new bus stand.

Deputy commissioner Vishram Kumar Meena said the district will be painted in the colours of the Indian flag from August 9 to 17, and various patriotic programmes will be organised under the Har Ghar Tiranga and Vande Mataram campaign.

A district-level Partition Horrors Remembrance Day will be observed on August 14th,” Meena added.