The Maharashtra State Cabinet on 10 February, 2026 approved a long-term financing of Rs 15,000 crore from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

This loan will be used to complete 57 irrigation projects and to rebuild 193 old and deteriorating canals across the state. The decision aims to bring around eight lakh hectares of land under irrigation. The approval came during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The funds will help the Water Resources Department expedite the ongoing projects and ensure timely completion.

Besides building new irrigation infrastructure, the funding will also be used to repair and upgrade existing canals, improving water distribution for agricultural purposes across the state. Out of the total Rs 15,000 crore, Rs 8,982.76 crore has been allocated for completing 57 irrigation projects, while Rs 6,017.24 crore will be used to upgrade canals and distribution systems across 193 existing projects.