Orissa inks pact with ADB, GoI for Rs1250cr project

The Orissa government today signed a tripartite agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of India (GoI) for availing loans for the Orissa Integrated Irrigated Agriculture and Water Management Project (OIIAWMP).

The total investment in the project is estimated to be about Rs 1250 crore.

The tripartite agreement was signed in New Delhi. Vishal Gagan, additional secretary in the water resources department, signed the agreement on behalf of the Orissa government.

The project was cleared by the Planning Commission in 2006 and the technical advisory committee of the ministry of water resources (MoWR) chaired by the Union water resources secretary approved the project in the beginning of the 2008.

Under the project, the work pertaining to 9 medium irrigation and 6 major irrigation projects will be taken up for strengthening the irrigation facilities in the state.

About Rs 270 crore is proposed to be spent in the first phase which includes taking up work in Taladanda canal, Gohira, Remala, Sunei (medium project), Mahanadi-Chitrotpala island water irrigation projects.

“We have already started the work under the project and a budgetary provision of Rs 50 crore has been made in 2008-09 budget to implement it”, Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, secretary, water resources told Business Standard.

He said, the project involves construction and renovation of canals and is likely to be completed in 8 years. Besides, it has a livelihood component under which the Pani Panchayats (water users’ associations) will be strengthened.

OIIAWMP aims to involve the maximum number of self-help groups (SHGs) to partner water management for increasing agricultural production and productivity in Orissa. The farmers will be imparted training on water management for effective use of irrigated water, sources said.

Orissa government has already set up the Directorate of Command Area Development and Participatory Irrigation Management to work for development of irrigation and strengthening of Pani Panchayats. The new directorate is overseeing the work of the Orissa Integrated Irrigated Agriculture and Water Management Project, sources added.