The government has expedited the provision of water in rain-fed areas to boost agricultural productivity and raise farmers’ incomes. This was stated by Nitin Gadkari, minister for roads, transport and highways, shipping and water resources, river development and Ganga rejuvenation, at a conference on the role of water in doubling farmers’ incomes, which was organised on World Water Day 2018 by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).

He added that his ministry had taken on hand projects to link river basins with world-class technology. Instead of canals which require the time-consuming process of land acquisition, water would be supplied to farm lands through pipelines. This is a much more cost-effective way to reach water to the farmers, the minister stated, adding that the Central government was in touch with the states and was encouraging them to use piped water supply through drip irrigation.

Gadkari said that many innovative schemes had been set in motion and emphasised that the country was not starved of water, but has suffered due to the lack of planned and efficacious use of water. In this context, the minister underlined the need for a jan andolan (people’s movement) to bring about a water revolution in the country.