BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to provide irrigation facility to additional 10 lakh hectare land by 2019, chief minister Naveen Patnaik today announced that 4000 check dams will be constructed every year to achieve the target.
The chief minister, who dedicated 1100 check dams constructed by the water resources department via video conferencing, said 2.57 lakh hectares land would get irrigation by the end of 2016-17.
"I am really happy to dedicate the check dams for the farmers of our state. I hope these check dams will benefit them in increasing their production," he said.
Stating that check dams play a vital role in providing irrigation and re-charging ground water, Naveen said that the water resources department has constructed 8700 check dams since 2010 with irrigation potential of 67,000 hectares.
He said that the water resources department will set up 4000 check dam in 2016-17.
Departments of agriculture, panchayati raj and ST and SC development have constructed 12,500 check dams since 2010. Farmers of 112 blocks in backward tribal districts including Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Nuapada, Bolangir, Deogarh and Sundergarh will be benefited from check dams, deep bore wells and mega lift irrigation projects, said the Chief Minister.
Stating that farmers are already getting water from Upper Indravati and Rengali projects, he said Lower Indra, Telengiri and Ret irrigation projects will become operational from the coming Kharif season.
Farmers of Nabarangpur will get benefit from Telengiri project, while Bolangir farmers from Lower Indra project. The water from Ret irrogation project will help irrigate agricultural land in Kalahandi district, he said.
The chief minister released a book on check dams on the occasion. Principal secretary in the water resources department Pradip Jena gave details about different irrigation projects. Members of the council of ministers, MLAs, chief secretary AP Padhi and senior officials attended the meeting.