IIT Roorkee Joins Hands with Jal Shakti Ministry to Modernize Command Area Development (M-CAD)
IIT Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India , 13 August 2025: In a significant step toward transforming irrigation practices and advancing rural sustainability, the Command Area Development and Water Management (CADWM) wing of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Government of India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee.
The partnership aims to strengthen the Modernization of the Command Area Development (M-CAD) Programme through focused research, capacity building, and policy innovation. It is focused on improving how water is delivered to farmlands across India. Through research, training, and policy recommendations, this collaboration will help farmers access more efficient, sustainable, and reliable irrigation practices.
This collaboration holds special relevance for Uttarakhand, where efficient water management is critical due to hilly terrain, fragmented landholdings, and increasing climate variability. The partnership is expected to pilot and scale innovative irrigation models that can serve as templates for both the Himalayan and plain regions of the country.
The MoU signing ceremony was graced by Ms. Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti, who emphasized the need for a robust and contextualized approach to irrigation modernization. She stated, “There is a critical need for documentation of CAD modernization efforts across India, indigenization of irrigation technologies such as center pivot tailored to Indian conditions, and inclusion of women in Water Users’ Associations and decision-making.”
The Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (CSRD), established at IIT Roorkee in 2024, will serve as a hub for research, innovation, and training to support M-CAD initiatives. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. V. K. Malik, Dean, Sponsored Research & Industrial Consultancy (SRIC), said “that the Centre will engage in collaborative projects to build knowledge, develop scalable models, and enhance the capacity of stakeholders involved in sustainable rural development.”
Given Uttarakhand’s unique topography and agricultural practices, IIT Roorkee’s expertise will play a vital role in contextualizing solutions for hill and semi-hill areas, ensuring that rural and remote communities benefit directly from modern irrigation techniques and inclusive water governance.
Reflecting on the significance of this collaboration, Prof. Kamal Kishore Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, remarked, “This partnership reaffirms IIT Roorkee’s commitment to national development and societal well-being. Through this initiative, we aim to contribute meaningfully to the modernization of India’s command area, ensure inclusive participation of rural communities, and support evidence-based policymaking. This aligns directly with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 and the goals of Jal Shakti Abhiyan, strengthening water security and agricultural resilience for future generations.”
The MoU was signed by Shri. Anuj Kanwal, Commissioner, CADWM wing, Ministry of Jal Shakti & Prof. Vivek K Malik, Dean SRIC IIT Roorkee. Prof. Ashish Pandey, Head, Centre for Sustainable Rural Development, IIT Roorkee, Prof. Kritika Kothari, Department of Water Resources Development & Management, and Joint Faculty, CSRD & Shri Ashok K Jeph, Director, CADWM wing from the Ministry have played a crucial role and were actively involved in formalizing this collaboration.
The signing of this MoU marks a significant milestone in aligning academic excellence with national development priorities. It harnesses IIT Roorkee’s multidisciplinary strengths to tackle ground-level challenges, paving the way for a more self-reliant and sustainably developed rural India. This collaboration represents a transformative step in bridging cutting-edge research with grassroots realities. By uniting the technical expertise of IIT Roorkee with the strategic vision of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the initiative aims to empower farmers, enhance irrigation efficiency, and foster inclusive rural growth. More than just a technological intervention, this partnership is about creating a meaningful impact, uplifting communities, revitalizing agricultural ecosystems, and contributing to India’s ambitious vision of Viksit Bharat@2047.