CM Vishnu Deo Sai Reviews Functioning of WRD

Strengthening of irrigation projects is essential for prosperity of farmers says Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai

CM strict on completion of long-term incomplete irrigation projects

Chief Minister reviews functioning of Water Resources Department at high level meeting PS to CM Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary Water Resources Department Rajesh Sukumar Toppo and senior officers of the department were present on the occasion.

Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai held a high-level review meeting of officials of the Water Resources Department. The meeting reviewed in detail the progress of departmental works, ongoing projects and proposed irrigation projects.

Chief Minister Sai said that the state government is constantly taking major decisions in the interest of farmers and every possible effort is being made towards the goal of doubling the income of farmers. He clarified that expansion of irrigation facilities is essential to achieve this goal. Chief Minister Sai directed that long pending projects have been included in the Atal Irrigation Scheme, which should be completed in a time bound and quality manner. He said that any negligence in construction works will not be tolerated.

Taking stock of the projects to be completed in the next three years, the Chief Minister said that the role of farmers is the most important in the construction of developed Chhattisgarh. Strengthening of irrigation projects is essential keeping in mind the increasing area of agriculture and the needs of farmers. He said that there is no dearth of budget for expansion of irrigation facilities and separate budgetary provision has been made for this. With the completion of these projects, the irrigated area in the state will increase and the yield of farmers will increase significantly.

Referring to the visit of farmers of Jashpur district to Madhya Pradesh, the Chief Minister said that the farmers were very excited to see irrigation being operated effectively through modern technology there. He directed that in the states where better innovations are being made in the irrigation sector, the farmers of Chhattisgarh should also be given a study tour so that they can be aware of new technologies and practices.

In the meeting, the officials informed that 14 irrigation projects at a cost of about Rs 10,000 crore are planned to be completed in a phased manner in the next three years, which will provide irrigation facility in an additional area of about 70,000 hectares. Of these, four major projects worth over Rs 4,800 crore are proposed to be grounded in March and May. These projects include Deurgaon Barrage cum lift irrigation project in Bastar district, Matnar Barrage cum lift irrigation project, Mohmela-Sirpur barrage scheme on Mahanadi in Arang development block of Raipur district and Kodar reservoir link project from Sikasar reservoir in Gariaband district.

Similarly, a budget of Rs 346 crore has been allocated for 115 pending projects under Atal Irrigation Scheme, through which an additional irrigation potential of about 11,000 hectares will be developed.

Resolution of inter-state water disputes was also discussed in the meeting. In the next three years, it was agreed to make concerted efforts to resolve cases related to Mahanadi water dispute, Duban area of Polavaram Dam and Samakka Barrage.

Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary to Chief Minister Mukesh Bansal, Secretary Water Resources Department Rajesh Sukumar Toppo and senior officers of the department were present on the occasion.