Lucknow: The irrigation and water resources department has announced the construction of seven new drainage projects in the state in financial year 2025-26 as part of efforts to strengthen irrigation and water management systems.Officials said the projects would be taken up in Bahraich, Bijnor, Gonda, Hapur and Meerut at a total approved cost of Rs 74.3 crore. One drainage project each has been approved in Gonda, Hapur and Meerut, while two projects each would be constructed in Bijnor and Bahraich. New drains are expected to reduce waterlogging and support irrigation in agricultural areas.Alongside new construction, large-scale cleaning of existing drains is also underway. The department has set a target of cleaning 17,500 km of drains in 2025-26 to improve water flow and reduce the risk of flooding in rural areas.Officials said that about 11,065km of drains had already been cleaned, and the remaining work was scheduled to be completed by March.Officials said that improved drainage and regular desilting help maintain the flow of water to fields and could reduce flood-related problems in low-lying rural regions.
