The Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) is a landmark water infrastructure initiative by the Rajasthan government, designed to address acute water scarcity in 13 eastern districts. In 2025, the project reached a major milestone with the development of the Navnera Barrage (also called Nonera Barrage) on the Kali Sindh river near Kota. This barrage is a key component of the project, enabling water storage, canal linkage, and improved supply of drinking and irrigation water.

Villages in districts like Kota, Baran, Bundi, and Sawai Madhopur are directly impacted, with over 57 villages identified for compensation and rehabilitation under the R&R Act 2013. Once completed, ERCP will connect major rivers like Chambal, Kalisindh, and Parvati through an extensive canal network, benefiting over 2 lakh hectares of agricultural land and providing drinking water to millions. The project is expected to transform the rural water landscape, uplift farming productivity, and reduce groundwater depletion. While administrative delays and center-state coordination issues have slowed down progress, renewed funding and clearances in 2025 have accelerated work significantly.