Irrigation in Haryana

• Agricultural state Haryana has irrigation facilities covering 60% of its land. The main
sources of irrigation are canals, tubewells, wells, and ponds.
Sources of Irrigation in Haryana

Source Percentage

Tubewells 51.12%

Canal Irrigation 48.3%

Other Sources 0.52%

• Kaithal has the largest tubewell irrigation facility (185 hectares) and Panchkula has
the lowest (15 hectares).
• Sirsa has the largest overall irrigation facilities (698 hectares), while Panchkula has
the lowest (25 hectares).
• Around 5672 hectares of land is irrigated in Haryana. Some districts use windmills and
some depend upon canal irrigation. They are as follows:
Districts Using Windmills for Irrigation
Rohtak, Gurugram, Karnal, Bhiwani
Districts Depend on Canal Irrigation
Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Jind, Panipat
• The countries like Holland (the Netherlands) and Germany have supported the process
of doing irrigation with the help of windmills.
• Most districts in Haryana lack adequate water resources for irrigation, relying on
groundwater management and international water agreements for agricultural water
supply.
Canal Irrigation System in Haryana
• According to the Economic Survey 2024–25, Haryana has a canal network of 1,503
channels covering 14,128 km.
• The state’s canal system consists of two major water systems, the Western Yamuna
Canal System and the Bhakra Canal System.
• The Bhakra Canal System is the largest in Haryana, spanning 6,279.57 km with 558
canals. The Western Yamuna Canal System has 473 canals covering 4,295.35 km.

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The main canal projects of Haryana are as follows:
Western Yamuna Canal System
• The oldest canal in Haryana, started in 1879 at Tajewala on the Yamuna’s right bank,
was originally built by Feroz Shah Tughlaq. With a total length of 3,226 km, it
irrigates 4 lakh hectares.
• Ambala, Kurukshetra, Karnal, Sonipat, Panipat, Rohtak, Hisar, Sirsa, and Jind districts
are covered under this canal system.
• It also irrigates about 1 lakh hectares of land of Delhi and Rajasthan. It currently
originates from the Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana.
Branches of Western Yamuna Canal
Branch Description
Siras Branch This canal provides irrigation facilities in Jind, Fatehabad, and
Canal Sirsa. It was constructed in 1896 and it is the longest branch of
Western Yamuna Canal System.
Bhakra Branch It is a sub-branch of Delhi branch of Western Yamuna Canal which
Canal flows from Khubru village to Jhajjar district. The Jhajjar canal is a
sub-canal of the Bhakra branch.
Barwala Branch It is a sub-branch of Sirsa of Western Yamuna Canal. The canal
Canal provides water to Hisar district.
Bhuata Branch The canal was remodelled in 1959 but originally it was built in
Canal 1825. One of its main branch, Bhuatana canal provides water to
the Hansi area of Hisar district. This canal originated from
paleochannel of Chautang river.
Jind Branch Canal It flows through the Jind district of the state. Rohtak canal and
Bhiwani canal are its main branches. These branches provide the
water to Rohtak and Bhiwani districts for irrigation and other
activities.
Munak Canal It is 102 km long. It carries water from Munak village in Karnal to
Haidarpur in Delhi. It is one of the main sources of drinking water
for Delhi.

Bhakra Canal System

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• The canal is a combined project of these three states and irrigates a large part of
Northern India.
• It enters Haryana near Tohana and irrigates large parts of Hisar, Rohtak, Fatehabad, and
Sirsa districts through its main branches i.e. Ratia, Rori, Barwala, and Fatehabad.
• It is linked with the Western Yamuna Canal through the Western Yamuna Feeder
Project. It ensures water supply to arid regions of western Haryana during summer.
• The feeder has two branches i.e. Narwana Link Canal (capacity 2700 cubic feet) and
Barwala Link Canal (capacity 1700 cubic feet).
• The Barwala Link Canal draws water from the Western Yamuna canal in summer and
Bhakra canal at year end.
Gurugram Canal Project
• This canal takes off from Okhla (Delhi) by building a dam on Yamuna river. The
construction work of this canal was started in 1970. It was completed during the time of
10th Five Year Plan.
• This canal irrigates 1.2 lakh hectare land in Gurugram, Faridabad, and Palwal districts.
Jawahar Canal and Bhiwani Canal
• These two small canals are drawn out from Bhakra Canal System.
• Jawaharlal Canal irrigates areas of Sonipat district.
• Bhiwani Canal irrigates the area of Bhiwani district.
Agra Canal
• This canal draws water from Yamuna river and starts from Okhla Barrage near Delhi.
• This canal irrigates the area of Agra and Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, Bharatpur in
Rajasthan, and Faridabad in Haryana.
Sutlej–Yamuna Link Project
• Sutlej–Yamuna link project (known as SARJU or SYL) is a proposed project to link the
rivers Sutlej and Yamuna.
• The canal is being constructed in the state to divert the water of Ravi and Beas rivers.
• The project is 211 km long in which 90 km is expanded in Haryana and 121 km in
Punjab.
• This project is the lifeline of Haryana. The construction of the link canal is on hold due
to legal disputes between Haryana and Punjab.
Multipurpose River Valley Projects of Haryana
Some of the multipurpose river valley projects of Haryana are as follows:

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Lift Irrigation Projects
• Lift irrigation projects in Haryana serve hilly and dry regions, mainly in the Southern
and Western areas.
• These areas are offshoots of the Aravalli hills, which receive low rainfall. Hence, Lift
Irrigation System is used in these areas which is helpful for agriculture.
• The main lift irrigation project is Jawaharlal Nehru Lift Irrigation Project with 493
canals spanning 3,702 km.
Important Lift Irrigation Projects in Haryana
Jui Canal Project
• This Lift Irrigation Scheme is designed to irrigate the upper area of Bhiwani and
adjoining areas.
• This 170 km long canal irrigates about 32 thousand hectare of land.
• The Jui Canal Project was started in 1969 and is successfully running in Haryana.
Jawaharlal Nehru Lift Irrigation Project
• This irrigation project is built along the Bhakra canal. This project was first initiated in
1976 in the dry region of Mahendragarh district.
• It irrigates the agricultural land areas of Mahendragarh and Bhiwani districts.
• The project was specially helpful in saving Kharif crops during the drought of 1987.
Loharu Lift Irrigation Project
• This project is also known as Indira Gandhi Irrigation Project.
• Canal made under this project is 225 km long.
• This project provides water to the Bhiwani and Charkhi-Dadri districts.
Bhiwani Lift Irrigation Project
• It is also known as Virendra Narayan Chakravarti Project.
• Canal made under this project is 200 km long.
• This project irrigates about 1 lakh hectare of land in Bhiwani.
Nangal Lift Irrigation Project
• The canal under this project is 80 km long and constructed in two phases.
• The project irrigates Ambala and provides drinking water to Ambala city and Ambala
Cantt areas.

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Hathnikund Barrage Project
• The 360-meter-long concrete barrage on the Yamuna river in Yamunanagar district of
Haryana, was constructed between October 1996 and completed in June 1999 at the
cost of ₹220 crore to replace the old Tajewala Barrage.
• It started functioning from 2002. It aids irrigation and creates a wetland for 31 species
of water birds.
• The barrage diverts excess water during Monsoon to the Western and Eastern Yamuna
Canals, thus preventing floods.
Narwana Irrigation Project
• The 37,500-feet-long Narwana Irrigation Project connects the Salwan Feeder with the
Dhamtan distributary.
• It provides water for irrigation to areas including Kaloda Khurel, Bhikhewala, Tulian
Kalan, and Sulehka areas of the state.
Tajewala Barrage
• It was constructed in 1873 across the Yamuna river in Yamunanagar district. The
barrage with a height of 24.73 m and length of 360 m, regulated flow for irrigation in
Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana through the Western and Eastern Yamuna Canals.
• It was decommissioned after the proper functioning of Hathnikund Barrage.
Other Irrigation Projects
Irrigation Project Irrigation Areas
Narwana Lift Irrigation Project Jind
Nangal Lift Irrigation Project Ambala
Loharu Lift Irrigation Project (Indira Gandhi Canal Bhiwani, Mahendragarh, Jhajjar
Project)
Mewat Canal Irrigation Project Mewat
Dadupur, Shahabad Canal Irrigation Project Yamunanagar, Ambala,
Kurukshetra
Major Dams of Haryana
Haryana has several dams, which serve various purposes including water storage for
irrigation and power generation. The major dams of Haryana are as follows:
Pathrala Dam
• Built in: 1875–76
• Location: Near Dadupur village of Yamunanagar district

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• Dimension: 460 m in length and 34 m height
Ottu Dam
• Built in: 1896
• Also known as: Ottu Weir and Ottu Head
• Location: Ghaggar-Hakra river near Sirsa
• It was a joint project by the Princely State of Bikaner and the British Government.
• It creates a large water reservoir out of the formerly-small Dhanur lake, located near the
village of Ottu in Sirsa district.
• It provides water to two Ghaggar canals (the Northern Ghaggar Canal and the Southern
Ghaggar Canal) and that water is diverted to Northern Rajasthan after its regulation.
Annagpur Dam
• Location: Near Anangpur village, Faridabad
• Also known as: Gravity dam
• This dam was constructed by King Anangpal of Tomar dynasty in 8th century. It is an
excellent example of Indian Hydraulic Engineering.
Kaushalya Dam
• Constructed in: 2012
• Location: Pinjore, Panchkula
• The Kaushalya dam, constructed on the Kaushalya river (a tributary of the Ghaggar-
Hakra river), is 700 m long and 34 m high.
• Total catchment area of this dam is 75 sq km.
• It also helps in conservation of underground water level.
Highlights:
• Kaushalya dam controls the flow of excess water in Kaushalya and Ghaggar rivers
during monsoon. It provides water to Panchkula district.
• Kaushalya dam is an important wetland that is home to many endangered migratory
birds.
Masani Dam
• This dam is constructed on Sahibi river which is a tributary of Yamuna river. It is
located in Rewari.
• It prevents flooding of nearby areas of Sahibi river during monsoons in the district of
Rewari.

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Other Dams
• The State Government has given go ahead to construct Dangrana, Dewanwala and
Ghamlala dams on river Ghaggar and its tributaries.
Region-Wise Irrigation System in Haryana
Irrigation in North-Eastern Region
• The North-Eastern region, including the plains of Ambala and the Shivalik hills,
receives sufficient rainfall, making the plains fertile.
• Rainfall irrigates the fields in most of the areas in this region.
• Canal irrigation in Ambala district was made possible after the Nangal Lift Irrigation
Scheme, which covers 45,000 acres of land.
Irrigation in Central Region
• The Central region, including Kurukshetra, Karnal, Jind, Rohtak, Panipat and Sonipat,
receives adequate rainfall.
• Maize and rice are grown due to high water requirements, while Rabi crops rely on
rainfall, tubewells, wells and canals for irrigation.
Irrigation in South-Eastern Region
• This area comprises the districts of Gurugram and Faridabad. The rainfall is less than
normal in this area.
• The major crops of this region are maize, barley, millet, oat, wheat and gram. These
crops are irrigated by canals and tubewells.
Irrigation in Sandy Region
• The region including Hisar, Sirsa, Mahendragarh and Bhiwani, receives almost no
rainfall.
• The main crops of this region include barley, millet, gram, maize and wheat.
• Farmers use camels for agriculture and tubewells and water sprinklers for irrigation.
(Under Micro Irrigation Scheme ‘Per Drop More Crop’, an area of 95.58 lakh hectare has
been covered by 2024 (December) with an expenditure of ₹21968.75 crore.)
Government Initiative for Development of Irrigation
• Haryana has an agricultural economy, due to which the cultivable lands are extensively
irrigated.
• The ground water resources are also used extensively in the state. Therefore, water
management is necessary in Haryana.

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State Government's Field Water Management Programmes
Atal Bhujal Yojna
• Launched on 25th December, 2019, on Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s 95th birth anniversary.
• Aims to improve groundwater management through sustainable resource development,
with an outlay of ₹6000 crore over 5 years (2020–25).
On Farm Water Management
• Provides financial assistance for farmers for sprinkler irrigation, drip irrigation and
Underground Pipe Line Systems (UGPL), promoting water conservation in the state.
Sprinkler Irrigation System
• Promoted in sandy South and South-Western parts of Haryana, where groundwater
levels reach up to 200 feet.
• Efficiently meets irrigation needs and benefits crops like wheat, mustard and gram.
• Introduced in districts like Rewari, Mahendragarh and Hisar from 1970. Considered the
best system for irrigation in these areas.
Drip Irrigation System
• Uses Underground Pipeline System to provide drip irrigation.
• Promoted for growth of cotton and sugarcane crops.
Underground Pipe Line System
• A government initiative in Haryana focused on improving irrigation efficiency and
water management in agriculture.
• Laying UGPL to transport water from good-quality sources is a key project under the
Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.
Integrated Micro Irrigation Scheme
• 14 different canal outlets in 13 districts selected where solar energy–based micro
irrigation schemes are implemented.
• Undertaken by HAREDA from 2018.
PM Krishi Sinchai Yojna
• Provides 85% assistance to SC farmers and small/marginal farmers for water-
conserving irrigation.
• PMKSY finalises district irrigation plans and offers end-to-end solutions, including
water source creation, rainwater harvesting, on-farm application and extension services
on new irrigation technologies.

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Haryana Government Department for Irrigation Facilities
Haryana Irrigation Research and Management Institute (HIRMI)
• Set up under Societies Registration Act, 1860 at Kurukshetra.
• Conserves and efficiently manages water resources through research and training.
Irrigation and Water Resources Department (IWRD)
• Primarily responsible for construction, operation and maintenance of canals and
drainage network.
• Head office in Panchkula district.
• Supplies water for irrigation, drinking, pond-filling, industrial uses, etc.
Command Area Development Authority (CADA)
• Installed Pilot projects of micro irrigation in 14 villages of 13 districts.
• Total cost of the project is ₹30.60 crore covering 2231 hectare area.
Haryana State Drought Relief and Flood Control Board
• Controls excess water in rivers during monsoon.
• Reservoirs developed around rivers that remain dry most of the year but swell up in
rainy season.
Irrigation Efficiency Fund
• Created to increase irrigation efficiency in Haryana by NABARD.
• Includes 36 blocks identified in the state where groundwater level is too low or critical.
• Plans drawn to recharge the groundwater.
• Implemented from 2018–19.

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 QUESTIONS
1. Which district in Haryana has the lowest irrigation facilities?
(a) Panchkula (b) Palwal
(c) Rewari (d) Mewat
2. Which of the following is the main source of irrigation in Haryana?
(a) Tubewells (b) Canals
(c) Lift irrigation (d) Rainfall
3. What percentage of agricultural land in Haryana is irrigated by canals?
(a) 35% (b) 42%
(c) 48% (d) 52%
4. Which district has largest irrigation facility through tubewells?
(a) Kaithal (b) Panchkula
(c) Jhajjar (d) Jind
5. Which among the following districts has irrigation facilities by way of wind mills?
(a) Rohtak (b) Bhiwani
(c) Karnal (d) All of these
6. Western Yamuna Canal was started from which place lying on the banks of
Yamuna river?
(a) Karnal (b) Jhajri
(c) Jagadhari (d) Shahabad
7. Which canal is the oldest and most important in Haryana?
(a) Western Yamuna canal (b) Gurugram canal
(c) Bhakra canal (d) Bhakali canal
8. This canal of Haryana was first built by Firoz Shah Tughlaq
(a) Bhakra canal (b) Jui canal
(c) Gurgaon canal (d) Western Yamuna canal
9. Western Yamuna Canal do not irrigate the land areas of which district in
Haryana?
(a) Ambala (b) Yamunanagar
(c) Panipat (d) Sirsa
10. Western Yamuna Canal irrigates which district of Haryana?
(a) Sonipat (b) Rohtak
(c) Karnal (d) All of these
11. Which canal in Haryana carries water to Haidarpur plant in Delhi?
(a) Barwala canal (b) Munak canal
(c) Bhiwani canal (d) Sirsa canal

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12. Bhakra canal enters Haryana from which place?
(a) Barwala (b) Tajeewala
(c) Tohana (d) Narwana
13. Bhakra canal irrigates which district of Haryana?
(a) Hisar (b) Sirsa
(c) Fatehabad (d) All of these
14. Bhakra canal and Western Yamuna canal are connected by which feeder project?
(a) Yamuna canal (b) Gurugram canal
(c) Bhiwani canal (d) Munak canal
15. Which canal takes off from the Yamuna river at Okhla?
(a) Gurugram canal (b) Jawaharlal canal
(c) Eastern Yamuna canal (d) Western Yamuna canal
16. Jawaharlal Canal of Haryana is taken from which main canal?
(a) Bhakra canal (b) Gurugram canal
(c) Bhiwani canal (d) Agra canal
17. Bhakra canal is taken out from—
(a) Bhakra canal (b) Okhla
(c) Yamuna canal (d) Ganga canal
18. The Agra canal irrigates which district of Haryana?
(a) Fatehabad (b) Faridabad
(c) Bhiwani (d) Jhajjar
19. Jui Canal Project was primarily designed to irrigate the semi desert areas of—
(a) Bhiwani (b) Rohtak
(c) Hisar (d) Panipat
20. Which lift irrigation project is also known as Virendra Narayan Chakravarti
Project?
(a) Loharu project (b) Bhiwani project
(c) Jui Canal project (d) Nangal project
21. Hathnikund Barrage is located over—
(a) Yamuna river (b) Ghaggar river
(c) Hakra river (d) Ravi river
22. Masani Dam of Haryana is built on which of the following rivers?
(a) Sahibi (b) Yamuna
(c) Krishnavati (d) Tangri
23. Which barrage was built in 1999 to replace the Tajewala barrage?
(a) Hathnikund barrage (b) Bhakra Nangal
(c) Indira Gandhi canal (d) Narwana project

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24. The Hathnikund barrage became functional from which year?
(a) 2002 (b) 2012
(c) 1998 (d) 2000
25. Tajewala Barrage built across Yamuna river is located in—
(a) Hisar (b) Fatehabad
(c) Panchkula (d) Yamunanagar
26. Pathrala dam in Haryana is situated on which river?
(a) Ghaggar (b) Somb
(c) Saraswati (d) None of these
27. The Ottu Barrage located in the district of Sirsa in Haryana is built on the river—
(a) Choutang (b) Sahibi
(c) Yamuna (d) Ghaggar
28. Chaudhary Devi Lal tourist complex is built near which dam?
(a) Ottu barrage dam (b) Kaushalya dam
(c) Anangpur dam (d) Masani dam
29. Among the following, which dam is in Haryana?
(a) Rihand (b) Ottu Barrage
(c) Tulshi (d) Asthi
30. Anangpur dam is situated in which district of Haryana?
(a) Faridabad (b) Bhiwani
(c) Karnal (d) Panipat
31. Which of the following dam is in Haryana?
(a) Kaushalya dam (b) Bilaspur dam
(c) Maithon dam (d) Indira Sagar dam
32. Which is the main source of irrigation in sandy regions of Hisar and Sirsa?
(a) Rainfall (b) Canals
(c) Canals and Tubewells (d) Tubewells and Sprinklers
33. Farmers of which district are given subsidies to adopt sprinkler irrigation system
in Haryana?
(a) Rewari (b) Mahendragarh
(c) Jhajjar (d) All of these
34. The On Farm Water Management Programme is undertaken by Haryana
Government for—
(a) Land conservation (b) Water conservation
(c) Soil conservation (d) All of the above

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35. Which district of Haryana is suffering from depletion of underground water
sources?
(a) Panipat (b) Yamunanagar
(c) Palwal (d) All of these
36. Which scheme run by Haryana Government aims to prevent water thefts?
(a) Har Khet Ko Pani
(b) Per Drop More Crop
(c) Atal Bhujal Yojana
(d) Jal Jeevan Yojana

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 ANSWER KEY
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
A A C A D C A D B D
11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20
B C D A A A A B A B
21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
A A A A D B D A B A
31 32 33 34 35 36
A D D B D A

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