MP intensifies demand for National status to Bargi project

After a long wait of four years MP govt once again intensified its demand

The project which was falls under large irrigation project on Narmada river was started in 1971 and has to be completed by 2017 to cover an area of 245,000 hectare under irrigation. State authorities had once again raised the demand before Union Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti during his recent visit.

Once it is given National status, it would receive 90% of the total cost of the project from Central government. "A total of 5,127 crore was estimated to be invested on the project that comprises only right bank canalbut it will now cost more than Rs 6,000 crore," a government official said. "The proposal was forwarded to the Central government during 2010 but it could not be considered though Central Water Commission and Expenditure Finance Committee (in Union Finance Ministry) had recommended the project to be awarded national status. Only ministry has to clear it for National status."

The Union Minister had recently said she would consider the project for awarding National status. It is one of the major trans-valley canal irrigation projects of the country, which envisages construction of a194-km long main canal from existing Rani Avanti Bai Lodhi Sagar reservoir also known as Bargi Dam in Jabalpur.

"So far more than Rs 1,200 crore has been invested in the project from state funds," the official said. MP has constructed 104 km of its canal of the total 197 km of total main canal. Its branch canals will be 255-km long and small irrigation canals will be 2700 km long covering Jabalpur, Katni, Rewa and Satna districts. A 12-km long irrigation tunnel is also under construction. Besides it wouldcater to 116.4 million cubic meter drinking and industrial water demand of Jabalpur and Katni towns.

There are eight large irrigation water projects in MadhyaPradesh which are under construction stage since years. An approximate amountof Rs 30,000 crore is to be invested in these projects.