Progress of Atal Bhujal project reviewed in Haryana

A meeting was held on Friday in Chandigarh to review the progress of the Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) project in Haryana. The meeting was attended by senior officials from various departments, the state project management unit (SPMU), district project management units (DPMUs) and district implementation partners (DIP), including key stakeholders.

Dr Satbir Singh Kadian, Engineer-In-Chief, Irrigation and Water Resources, Haryana, who is also a project director, presented the progress report of the Atal Bhujal Yojana and provided a comprehensive snapshot of the achievements under the scheme.

On the occasion, Satya Priya, from the World Bank, acknowledged the achievements and emphasised the importance of its sustainability. He also encouraged further comparative studies on the effects of water levels, advanced training programmes and strong IEC activities. Notably, he suggested the development of a detailed training plan for 2025 with a focus on groundwater management and module preparation.

MK Goyal, State Coordinator, World Bank, presented an analysis of Haryana’s guiding future project strategies.

During the meeting, various officials shared their perspectives on the implementation of the Atal Bhujal Yojana and highlighted the progress achieved in their respective domains. The meeting emphasised the need for collective efforts and collaboration to ensure the successful implementation of the Atal Bhujal Yojana in Haryana. Under the recommendations of the World Bank and NPMU, emphasis was placed on sustainability, capacity building, and the adoption of innovative water-saving technologies. A strategic work plan for 2025 was also laid out.

Following the meeting, representatives from the National Programme Management Unit (NPMU) and the World Bank Mission held a detailed discussion with Additional Chief Secretary Anurag Aggarwal and Chairperson of Haryana Water Resources Authority (HWRA) Keshni Anand Arora. The focus was on refining and enhancing the implementation strategies for the Atal Bhujal Yojana in the state.