285 New Irrigation Projects to be Taken up by Next Year Says Gadkari

Union Minister of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Road Transport & Highways and Shipping Shri Nitin Gadkari said that 27 PMKSY projects will be completed by this year. He said 285 new irrigation projects will be taken up by next year to provide irrigation for 1 crore 88 lakh hectare of land. Shri Gadkari said drip irrigation and irrigation through pipeline will be the priority areas for the Government as this will save large amount of water and also cut down the cost involved in acquiring land. The Union Water Resources Minister said water, power, transport and communication are the four most important pillars of development. He said Government is keen to provide safe drinking water to every household and irrigation water for every farm. In this connection he referred to the recent inauguration of Sardar Sarovar Project by the Prime Minister, which will provide water to over 4 crore people and help irrigate over 8 lakh hectares of land.

Shri Gadkari said that Inter linking of rivers is very important to save people from floods and droughts. He said 30 Projects for river linking have been approved out of which work on three projects namely Ken- Betwa, Par- Tapi Narmada and Daman Ganga Pinjal will start within three months. The Minister said Government is exploring the possibility of creating a large fund for inter liking of rivers. Shri Gadkari said new ways have to be found for use of treated waste water. He said that he has requested the Power Minister to explore the possibility of using recycled water for NTPC power plants. He emphasised the need for inventing innovative methods for using 70% of river water which goes into seas. Referring to Pancheswar Project the Minister said the Secretary of Ministry Water Resources will be visiting Nepal soon to sort out pending issues. He expressed the hope that work on the project will start soon.

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