BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has set a target to create additional irrigation potential of around 70,000 hectares by setting up 55 mega lift irrigation projects by the end of current financial year.
“It has been targeted to commission 19 projects with an ayacut area of around 26,400 hectares by this month end, 8 projects with an ayacut of 9,700 ha by November and two projects with an ayacut area of 2,300 ha by year end,” Principal Secretary, Water Resources, PK Jena said.
Similarly, time line has been set to complete another 26 mega lift projects by March 2018. As per the plan, two projects covering an ayacut area of around 2,000 ha will be completed by January, 10 projects with ayacut area of around 13,000 ha by February and 14 projects with ayacut area of around 17,000 ha by March, next year. These 55 projects will irrigate about 70,000 ha of agricultural land, he said. If things proceed as per the plan, 26 other projects will be ready by May or June, next year.
Work progress of mega lift irrigation projects in different parts of the State were reviewed by Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi at a high level meeting here recently. In the first phase, Jena said, 198 locations were identified for execution of mega lift schemes. Meanwhile, work has been taken up in 170 locations and the remaining projects will be put out to tender soon.
The projects at Laitara and Utkela in Kalahandi district and Gudvella in Balangir district have already been commissioned and these three projects are irrigating around 3,000 ha. Six other projects - five in Balangir district and one in Kalahandi district - have been completed and these lift points will be operationalised by this month end, he said.
Energy Secretary Hemant Sharma said steps were taken in advance by power distribution companies to energise the mega lift points immediately after completion.
Review showed that the pipe laying works in 55 other projects were at advanced stages. Measures have been taken to enhance water use efficiency by around 70 pc and water could reach to crop fields in high lands.
Since these projects will be managed through Pani panchayats, the meeting decided to provide hand holding support to farmers through expert agencies for crop planning and maintenance of these mega lift projects for next 5 years for making them self-sufficient.
Mega LI plan
● Two projects covering an ayacut area of around 2,000 ha to be completed by January
● 10 projects with ayacut area of around 13,000 ha to be completed by February
● 14 projects with ayacut area of around 17,000 ha to be completed by March
● All the 55 projects will irrigate about 70,000 ha of agricultural land