Chhattisgarh’s M-CAD Irrigation Model Gets Central Recognition

Chhattisgarh’s irrigation initiative under the Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) scheme received Central government recognition on 6 June 2026. The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti asked other States and Union Territories to study the Chhattisgarh model for improving irrigation efficiency and water-use capacity.

Modernisation of Command Area Development and Water Management

The M-CADWM scheme is a sub-scheme of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY). The Union Cabinet approved the scheme on 9 April 2025 with an initial outlay of ₹1,600 crore for the period up to March 2026. The scheme targets at least 75% on-farm water use efficiency through micro-irrigation technologies.

Bagia Pressurised Lift Irrigation Project

On 2 May 2026, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai inaugurated a ₹119-crore pressurised lift irrigation project at Bagia village in Jashpur district. The project is planned to irrigate 4,933 hectares across 13 villages and uses underground pipelines, solar power, SCADA, and IoT. The project has received ₹95.89 crore in Central funding and is scheduled for completion within six months of inauguration.

Watershed and Command Area Development in Chhattisgarh

On 15 May 2026, the Ministry of Rural Development reviewed watershed development projects in Dhamtari district under PMKSY. The review covered irrigation and livelihood outcomes, including the Lift Irrigation Project at Gadadih. On 14 November 2025, the Chhattisgarh government granted in-principle approval to 14 new irrigation projects, which are projected to bring an additional one lakh hectares under irrigation.

Important Facts for Exams

• PMKSY stands for Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana and is a Central scheme for irrigation and water management.
• SCADA stands for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition and is used in automated infrastructure monitoring.
• IoT stands for Internet of Things and is used in connected irrigation systems.
• Cluster-based interventions under M-CADWM are planned for areas between 50 and 5,000 hectares.

National Plan for Command Area Development

The Union government plans to launch a National Plan for Command Area Development and Water Management from April 2026. The plan is based on pilot projects under the M-CADWM scheme.