Rajasthan begins Ferozepur Feeder reconstruction to strengthen canal irrigation network

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma laid the foundation stone for reconstruction of the Ferozepur Feeder canal at Sadhuwali, near Sriganganagar, on Friday, while affirming that his government’s policies would ensure the prosperity of farmers and help supply irrigation waters to far-off areas.

The project will benefit farmers in northern Rajasthan by strengthening the State’s century-old canal irrigation network. The launch of development works worth ₹1,717 crore for the canal system marked the completion of 100 years of the Gang Canal, constructed by erstwhile ruler of the Bikaner princely state, Ganga Singh.

The feeder reconstruction is expected to enhance irrigation reliability for both rabi and kharif crops and help increase agricultural output with an improved diversion of surplus water from Harike Barrage into the Ferozepur Feeder. ₹647 crore will be spent on feeder reconstruction, ₹300 crore on the Bikaner Canal’s renovation, ₹695 crore on the automation of 3.14 lakh hectares of land, and ₹75 crore on the reconstruction of damaged canals and defunct channels.

Addressing the gathering, Mr. Sharma said the project would ensure year-round water flow into the Gang Canal for the benefit of farmers in the command area. The works to be undertaken in the project, which will be completed by October 2027, include concrete canvas lining, reconstruction of two head regulators and one cross regulator, construction of a new head regulator, and repairs of three railway crossing bridges.

“The development works related to canals are the foundation of a bright future for Rajasthan’s irrigation sector. We have closely observed and understood the difficulties faced by farmers… Our government is committed to supporting them with water and power for irrigation, crop insurance, remunerative prices and modern technology,” Mr. Sharma said.

Mr. Sharma announced an increase of ₹15 in the minimum support price for sugarcane on the occasion. The support price will be increased from ₹401 to ₹416 per quintal for early-maturing varieties of sugarcane, from ₹391 to ₹406 per quintal for medium-maturing varieties, and from ₹386 to ₹401 per quintal for the late-maturing varieties.

Among others, Union Minister of State for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, Water Resources Minister Suresh Singh Rawat, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Sumit Godara, and State Farmers Commission chairperson C.R. Chaudhary attended the function.