Odisha: Cabinet nod to Rs 2,500 crore worth irrigation projects

BHUBANESWAR: To strengthen the state's irrigation system, the cabinet on Thursday approved multiple projects, estimated around Rs 2,500 crore, and are likely to irrigate an additional 70,000 hectares in the districts.
The cabinet approved Rs 634 crore pressurized underground pipeline (UHPL) irrigation network system for left command of Lower Suktel irrigation project with distribution network, which would create irrigation potential in 13,000 hectares in Balangir district. The project is expected to be ready in 30 months.
"The UGPL system has been introduced in place of conventional open canal flow for higher irrigation efficiencies, minimum water loss, equitable water distribution through effective rotation and minimum land acquisition with better control and management," chief secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra said.
Under the Parbati Giri Mega Lift Irrigation Scheme that has been launched to provide irrigation by lifting surplus water from rivers and reservoirs, the cabinet approved as many as 40 lift irrigation (LI) projects in various districts.
According to official sources, eight LI projects have been approved with intake points on the rivers Tel, Mahanadi, Ong and Suktel as well as lndravati reservoir and would benefit farmers in Kalahandi, Balangir, Bargarh and Gajapati district.
While nine LI projects with intake points on Kharsua, Kani and Baitarani rivers will be implemented to benefit farmers of Jajpur and Kendrapada districts, the cabinet gave its nod to 14 such projects in Keonjhar district with intake points on Anandapur left main canal, Bidyadharpur barrage, Hadagarh reservoir and Baitarani river.
Among others, the cabinet also approved construction of an in-stream storage structure across river Kochila in Bhadrak district and across river Baitarani in Jajpur district at an investment of Rs 200 crore. The storage structure will control flood situation in Kochila river and will rejuvenate the Baitarani river.