Nabard sanctions Rs 2,112 cr to Gujarat govt for irrigation projects

Funds for Saurashtra Narmada Avataran Irrigation yojna that will firm up irrigation potential over an area of more than 60,000 hectares

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard) has sanctioned Rs 2,112.34 crore to the Gujarat government under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) for the 'Saurashtra Narmada Avataran Irrigation (SAUNI)' yojna that will firm up irrigation potential over an area of more than 60,000 hectares in Gujarat.

Moreover, this has the potential to generate about 8,840 jobs per year. The sanctioned amount will be spent on two irrigation projects for firming up the irrigation potential of the reservoirs in the water-scarce Saurashtra region.

"The state government had sought help from Nabard for funds required to develop irrigation under SAUNI yojana and we have allotted a fund worth Rs 2,112.34 crore to Gujarat for two irrigation projects", said R Sundar, chief general manager, Gujarat at Nabard.

SAUNI yojana comprising of four link pipelines, has been prepared for beneficial use of additional one million acre feet flood water to fill about 115 existing dams of Saurashtra region. Of the four link pipelines, Nabard has sanctioned loan for two packages so far.

The excess over flowing flood water of Narmada will be distributed to 115 reservoirs of eleven districts of Saurashtra through total 1,126 km long four link pipelines benefitting over one million acre land. Under Sauni yojana, work of about 230 Km length of pipeline works are commenced since March 2014 and are under progress.

Under Link -1 package, RIDF loan of Rs 860.09 crore has been sanctioned for construction of two pumping stations, provision of valves and laying of pipelines covering a distance of 57.67 km in Morbi, Rajkot and Jamnagar districts, while under link - 3 package, RIDF loan of Rs 1,252.25 crore has been approved for construction of three pumping stations, laying of pipelines covering a distance of 66.30 km and provision of valves in Surendranagar and Morbi districts.

R Sundar said, "This will firm up irrigation potential in an area of 60,882 hectares in these districts. Moreover, it will generate recurring employment of 8,840 jobs a year."

Nabard has so far, sanctioned the cumulative loan assistance under the fund to the Gujarat government since inception in 1995-96 aggregates to Rs 18,851.14 crore against which an amount of Rs 12,850.94 crore has been utilised till date.