The total number of ongoing irrigation projects included in the current 11th Five-Year Plan (2007-2012) is likely to be 477 that include 166 major, 222 medium and 89 extension, renovation and modernisation projects. Of these, 72 major, 133 medium and 132 ERM projects may be completed in this plan period, provided there are adequate funds.
The proposed outlay for the ongoing projects is Rs 83,750 crore, excluding funds available under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme, estimated at Rs 25,400 crore. In addition there are 78 major, 145 medium and 86 ERM projects included in the plan for which the outlay is Rs 30,670 crore. The emphasis will however be on completion of ongoing projects.
Out of the total estimated irrigation potential of 13.9 million hectares, the irrigation potential of 102.7 million hectares has been created by various states up to March 2007, taking into account irrigation more than once in a year on the same land. The overall target for creation of irrigation potential in the 11th Plan is 16 million hectares, according to information tabled in the Rajya Sabha recently.
Irrigation being a state subject, irrigation projects are conceived, planned and implemented by the respective state governments as per their own priority. However, the Government of India provides assistance to the states for completion of irrigation projects under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme including the northeastern states. From 1999-2000, the scope of AIBP was extended to include minor irrigation schemes for special category states which inter-alia include northeastern states.