Bihar reservoir project to see light of day after 38 years

After nearly four decades, the Durgawati reservoir project in Bihar is finally ready in realisation of the dream of thousands of farmers to get their land irrigated in the Maoist-affected districts of Rohtas and Kaimur.

"Finally, the work of the Durgawati reservoir project has been completed. It would be formally inaugurated by Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi soon," Water Resources Minister Vijay Choudhary said Sunday.

This was the dream project of legendary Dalit leader and then union water resources minister Babu Jagjivan Ram, who laid the foundation stone in 1976.

The project was delayed for decades for want of funds and the objections raised by the central government over provisions of the Forest Conservation Act.

Choudhary said the Durgawati reservoir on the Sone river was a dream for farmers of Rohtas and Kaimur for years.

Work on the project started in 1976 but was delayed on one pretext or the other.

Officials said 33,467 hectares of land would be irrigated when the project is operational.

"The cost of the project has gone up from its initial estimate of Rs.25 crore to Rs.1,096 crore now," officials said.