Jain Irrigation bags Rs 385-cr project from Karnataka govt

Jain Irrigation Systems has bagged a Rs 385.7-crore project from the Karnataka government that would benefit 35 villages of Bagalkot district in the state.
Krishna Bhagya Jal Nigam Ltd (KBJNL), a division of water resources department of Karnataka, has selected Jain Irrigation for 'Ramthal-Marol Integrated Irrigation Project' via the bidding process, the company said in a BSE filing.
"The project value is about Rs 385.7 crore" and would benefit more than 7000 farmers from 30,381 acre command area comprising 35 villages of Bagalkot district, it said.
Under this integrated project, Jain Irrigation said water would be delivered directly using HDPE/PVC piping network to irrigate 30,381 acre command area through micro-irrigation system by providing pressurised piping network.

The company would set up water-users cooperative societies in convenient block and maintain the project for two years after commissioning besides training and capacity building of farmers, it said.
This revolutionary project would bring transformation in agricutlure of Karnataka and would also bring reforms in irrigation methodologies of canal command areas, it added.

Commenting on the development, Jain Irrigation Joint Managing Director Atul Jain said: "We are excited to receive such large order for uniquely designed project, which will usher in significant benefits to all stakeholders considering backdrop of dwindling water supply in our country in inverse proportion to more demand for agriculture produce."

Successful commissioning of this project will assume the status of being the largest micro irrigation project of its kind in the world for improving water efficiency in canal command areas through conduit distribution and use of micro- irrigation systems, he added.
Jain Irrigation has an experience of executing micro- irrigation projects in India and abroad. It has already implemented such large scale projects in Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra.
The company manufactures drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, solar water heating systems and agro-processed products, among others.
Shares of the company fell by 1.05 per cent to close at Rs 70.95 apiece on the BSE today.