Mohanpura irrigation project: promises vs reality

The Mohanpura Dam, inaugurated in June 2018 on the Newaj River near Rajgarh district, Madhya Pradesh, represents a ₹ 3800 crore investment in irrigation infrastructure. While designed to benefit 145,000 hectares across hundreds of villages, the project faces significant implementation challenges.

Project Administrator Vikas Rajoria reports water reaching 510 of 772 targeted villages, irrigating 110,000 hectares, with complete coverage planned by June 2025. The distribution system employs boxes with four valves, each serving 20 hectares on rotation.

However, ground realities reveal complications. Farmers in villages near the dam, including Banpur, Lakshmanpura, and Rajpura, struggle with irregular water supply. Those whose land was acquired for the dam received₹2 lakh per bigha but had to spend₹7 lakh per bigha for replacement land, with additional investments in private irrigation despite project promises.

The current system, where one valve serves multiple farmers across 20 hectares, has sparked conflicts. Some farmers resort to damaging infrastructure or creating unauthorised connections, compromising water pressure and availability throughout the network.

While the Mohanpura project, together with the Kundalia project, has expanded irrigation coverage in Rajgarh and Agar Malwa districts to 1200 villages, distribution challenges persist. Success hinges on developing a more equitable water distribution system that accounts for local landholding patterns and ensures fair access for all farmers. 

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