Irrigation stands as a pivotal driver of agricultural productivity and growth. Globally, as well as in India, over 80% of our available water resources are currently allocated to irrigation. However, India faces a significant challenge, as the average water use efficiency in irrigation projects hovers around a meager 30–35%. While the modernization of irrigation systems, such as the application of concrete lining to inner surfaces of open channels and installation of canal automation systems, holds immense potential for substantial water savings, the exorbitant capital investments required for such implementation pose formidable barriers to widespread adoption. Against this backdrop, it becomes imperative to get the know-how of innovative, cost-effective, and readily implementable water conveyance techniques employed in select irrigation projects in Maharashtra. This paper not only addresses the pressing need to enhance water use efficiencies in both existing and upcoming irrigation projects but also offers an in-depth examination of successful case studies. Our findings underscore the viability and efficacy of these pioneering techniques, advocating for their broader implementation in other irrigation projects wherever they are found to be technically feasible. This approach not only promises to enhance crop yields but also to usher in improved water management characterized by significantly heightened water use efficiency and water productivity.