Chhattisgarh set to revive Pairi irrigation project

State moves in action after Centre showed interest in project approved in 1973

Pairi major irrigation project in Chhattisgarh could see light of the day after over four decades of its official approval. State government started working on the proposal after Centre showed interest to revive the project approved in 1973.

The high dam proposed in the then undivided Raipur district, was stipulated to be completed in 1977. Pairi River is one of the important tributaries of Mahanadi -- considered to be lifeline of both Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

"The water resources department is conducting a fresh survey and drafting the detailed project report on Pairi high dam project,” a top state government official said.

The height of the dam would be slightly reduced to ensure that Gariyaband town -- district headquarters of Gariyaband -- was not submerged. About 20 villages are likely to be affected by the project.

According to department officials, the project was designed and approved in 1973 but was later put on hold as the entire town of Gariyaband (now a district) would have been inundated. It took over four decades for the authorities to remove the dust from the file and revive the project. A high level meeting chaired by state chief secretary reviewed the proposal and decided to expedite the work.

The project would be among state’s three major irrigation projects. The other two include Gangrel and Hasdeo Bango. When the project was designed, the officials had estimated that it would create an additional irrigation potential for about 43 hectare areas. The officials said according to the revised plan, the project would now irrigate over 100,000 hectare land.