Work on for five mega irrigation projects worth Rs 4788 crore

The Orissa government has initiated work on five major irrigation projects involving a cost of Rs 4788.23 crore. These projects include Upper Indravati Irrigation Project, Integrated Anandapur Barrage Project, Kanupur Irrigation Project, Lower Indra Project, Lower Suktel Project.

"As many as 17 major irrigation projects were proposed to be taken up in the state between 2000 and 2010. Work is going on for five mega irrigation projects while the technical clearance has been obtained from the Central Water Commission (CWC) for three other major projects- Ong Dam, Brutang and Ib. The CWC clearance is pending for eight other major irrigation projects- Kokasa Mega Lift, Bheden, Upper Vansadhara, Middle Kolab, Bhimkund, Utei Roul, Upper Udhanti and Gobindapati”, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said in the state assembly.

The detailed project report is being prepared for Middle Kolab and Bhmkund mega irrigation projects. After all these 16 mega irrigation projects are commissioned, an additional 5999.8 hectares of land will be brought under irrigation.

In response to a separate query, Patnaik said, “The state government has spent Rs 4470.39 crore on 97 major and medium irrigation projects between 2005-06 and 2009-10. Besides, Rs 189.42 crore has been spent on minor irrigation projects in the same period.”

Out of the total expenditure of Rs 4470.39 crore incurred on 97 major and medium irrigation projects between 2005-06 and 2009-10, Rs 405.85 crore has been spent in 2005-06, Rs 609.86 crore in 2006-07, Rs 1235.70 crore in 2008-09 and 1058.98 crore in 2008-09 .