CM turns irrigation key for parched Palamu

Long pending Malay reservoir scheme in Palamu and Annaraj reservoir scheme in Garhwa got fresh oxygen when Chief Minister Raghubar Das on Wednesday started revival works for tunnel and canal system along with lining work of the irrigational project.

After completion of the reconstruction exercise, Malay Reservoir scheme would benefit 27 villages of Satbarwa block, 42 villages of Medininagar block and 36 villages of Leslieganj block falling under Palamu district. Over 1.55 lakh people settled in the coverage area would be benefitted comprising considerable population of marginalised sections of the society.

“The Government is committed to strengthen the irrigation system and double the income of farmers. The overall development of villages, poor and farmers are the main goals of the Government,” said the Chief Minister after online inauguration of the revamping work.

Also, revival of Annaraj reservoir scheme would take irrigation facility to 4632 hectares of 42 villages of Garhwa district. Renovation work and the lining of the damaged canal would be done at a cost of Rs 84.68 crore. The Chief Minister said that in this project, Annaraj main canal of 14.812 km, 12 km of Aadra main canal including head regulator, CD structure, and outlet will be constructed and restored.

“Rs 637 crore in recent past has been approved in order to restore the lost irrigation capacity and revitalisation of 15 irrigation schemes of the State. 22 irrigation schemes worth of Rs 414 crore will be sanctioned and their work will also be started in this financial year. It will enable 23520 hectares of irrigation capacity,” said the CM.

He said that 495 schemes of check dams have been completed in small irrigation field. Government aims to complete 812 checks dams in 2018-19. By achieving this target, irrigation potential will be created in 70688 hectare area. Besides, the work of 134 rehabilitation schemes has been completed. The work of 431 rehabilitation schemes will be completed this year. With the completion of this work, the irrigation potential will be restored in 31182 hectare area.

In addition to these, irrigation schemes namely Sadawah, Butanduba, Sonare, Jinjoi, Danro Reservoir, Pandarva, Batre, Ramghat, Nakatinala, and Upri Karwar, Birha, Chordanda, Fulvariya along with 14 old irrigation schemes are also being revived.

“Consent of the Central Water Commission has been obtained on the DPR of the Kanhar Irrigation Project. After the implementation of this project costing Rs 1903 crores, 53,000 hectares of land can be irrigated,” added the CM. Palamu MP BD Ram and local MLA Alok Chaurasia and other leaders attended the programme through video conferencing.

“State Government has given special attention to the all-round development of Palamu. With the foundation stone of the Malay Reservoir and Annaraj Reservoir scheme, a new energy has been transmitted to farmers,” said the MP. Chief Secretary Sudhir Tripathi, Additional Chief Secretary DK Tiwari, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sunil Kumar Barnwal and other officers were present on the occasion.