₹2,500-crore canal project to transform tribal belt of Banswara

Jaipur: Chief minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said Sunday the Rs 2,500-crore Upper High Level Canal Project will bring irrigation water to nearly 42,000 hectares of farmland across 338 villages in the tribal-dominated areas.In a statement, Sharma said the project would transform agriculture in parts of the Banswara district and provide a fresh impetus to the social and economic development of tribal communities.“Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rajasthan is moving rapidly towards water self-reliance. The Upper High Level Canal Project will prove to be a milestone for the Vagad region and provide long-term benefits to farmers and rural families,” Sharma said.The lift irrigation project covers six tehsils — Banswara, Bagidora, Kushalgarh, Sajjangarh, Anandpuri and Gangadtalai — and is expected to benefit around 3.5 lakh people directly and indirectly. Officials said the scheme will provide year-round irrigation to farmers in three Assembly constituencies where agriculture remains largely dependent on rainfall.