Maintenance Aspects of Major and Medium Irrigation Projects

Abstract

The document by B.N. Navalawala (August 2000) examines maintenance challenges in Major and Medium Irrigation Projects in India, highlighting the decline in financial viability post-independence due to subsidized water pricing, inefficient revenue collection, and inadequate funding for operation and maintenance (O&M). Analysis across states such as Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, and Haryana reveals rising O&M costs, low revenue realization, overstaffing, and underfunded maintenance as key issues. The report recommends revising water rates to reflect actual operational costs, controlling establishment expenditures, and promoting Water Users’ Associations to enhance stakeholder involvement, cost-efficiency, and system accountability. Sustainable improvements in irrigation require balancing equitable access for farmers with financial viability, ensuring proper maintenance, and safeguarding agricultural productivity.