Chhattisgarh to get pending Rs 828 crore fund for irrigation projects: Official

The state's water resources minister said that major irrigation projects like Kelo and Maniyari, beside 232 minor projects are being developed

Chhattisgarh will soon get a fund of Rs 828 crore from the Centre to complete the ongoing and pending irrigation projects in the state, an official spokesperson said here today.

Hailing the state government's efforts to boost irrigation facilities, Union Minister for Water Resources and River Development Uma Bharati has assured speedy approval of proposals by the state to enhance irrigation sources, the spokesperson said.

During a meeting of senior officials chaired by Bharati last evening, state water resources minister Brijmohan Agrawal informed that major irrigation projects like Kelo, Kharanag and Maniyari, beside 232 minor irrigation projects are being developed under immediate irrigation benefits programme.

According to the official, the minister apprised that a fund of Rs 572.88 crore has been sanctioned by the Centre in the past while Rs 827.76 is yet to be allocated for completion of the projects.

The minister added that these projects will enhance the irrigation facilities in an additional area of 1.50 lakh hectare in the state, the official said.

Subsequently, Bharati assured to soon sanction the remaining amount of Rs 827.76 crore to the state for completion of pending irrigation projects, the official said.

She also directed the officials at the Centre to take early action in this regard, he added.