BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to provide irrigation facility to additional 10 lakh hectare (ha) land by 2019, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday announced that 4,000 check dams will be constructed every year to achieve the target.
The CM, who dedicated 1,100 check dams constructed by Water Resources Department via video conferencing, said 2.57 lakh ha land would get irrigation by the end of 2016-17.
"I am happy to dedicate the check dams for 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 the Water Resources Department has constructed 8,700 check dams since 2010 with irrigation potential of 67,000 ha. He said the Department will set up 4,000 check dam in 2016-17.
Besides, Departments of Agriculture, Panchayati Raj and ST and SC Development have constructed 12,500 check dams since 2010, he said.
The CM said farmers of 112 blocks in backward tribal districts of Kandhamal, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Nuapada, Balangir, Deogarh and Sundargarh will benefit from check dams, deep bore wells and mega lift irrigation projects.
Stating that farmers are already getting water from Upper Indravati and Rengali projects, Naveen said Lower Indra, Telengiri and Ret irrigation projects will become operational from the coming kharif season.
Farmers of Nabarangpur and Balangir will get benefit from Telengiri and Lower Indra projects respectively. Water from Ret project will help irrigate agricultural land in Kalahandi district, he said. The CM released a book on check dams on the occasion. Principal Secretary in 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.