UDF govt in its revised budget has allocated Rs 559.39 crore for irrigation, flood control and coastal protection. Focus is on strengthening water distribution system, improving irrigation infrastructure and enhancing flood mitigation measures across state.Major and medium irrigation projects got Rs 213.39 crore while minor irrigation schemes got an allocation of Rs 176.27 crore. An additional Rs 1.50 crore has been set aside for command area development. Flood control and coastal protection activities received a significant allocation of Rs 168.23 crore, underscoring govt’s emphasis on tackling climate change related challenges and safeguarding vulnerable regions.Also, among key initiatives announced in the budget is modernization of Neyyar irrigation project, which includes improving water distribution efficiency by upgrading irrigation infrastructure and undertaking repair and maintenance works on the canal network connected to the project.Budget also proposes to leverage tourism potential of assets under irrigation department through public private partnerships (PPP). Govt plans to develop irrigation museum, dam tourism initiatives, canal tourism projects and Irrigation guest house under PPP model.Moreover, in a move aimed at preventing waterborne diseases, budget announced establishment of new laboratories to monitor water quality across the state. Water supply and sanitation sector received a total allocation of Rs 895.59 crore. Budget noted that several communicable diseases originate from contaminated drinking water. To expand testing facilities, new laboratories will be set up and college laboratories will be utilized for water quality analysis.
