Project in WB delayed due to lack of adequate funds: Minister

Teesta Irrigation Project in West Bengal was progressing slowly because of the state's inability to provide adequate funds in time and delay in land acquisition for canal system, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

"Reasons attributed to the the slow progress of the project are — inability of the state government to provide adequate funds to the project in time and delay in acquisition of land for canal system," Union Minister of State for Water Resources Vincent H Pala said in a written reply.

He was asked about the reasons which have delayed the Project in the state.

He said that the irrigation project had been approved by the Planning Commission in 1975 at an estimated cost of Rs 69.72 crore.

"The latest estimated cost of the project is Rs 2,988.61 crore. The cumulative expenditure incurred on the project upto March 2009 is Rs 1,153.43 crore," he added.

When asked about the steps taken by the Center to expedite the project, Pala said irrigation is a state subject and the projects relating to it are planned, funded and implemented by the concerned state government.

However, Central government provides financial assistance to the state government under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme for expeditious completion of the ongoing projects, he said.    

"The Central Loan Assistance for Teesta project is Rs 152.924 crore so far. Further this project has been included in the list of National Projects and is eligible for 90 per cent Central grant as per the guidelines of the National Projects," Pala added.

Pala said as per the information received from the West Bengal government, the project is to be completed by March 2015.