JICA to fund Rs 1,787-crore irrigation project in Odisha

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has agreed to provide an additional Rs 1,787 crore as assistance to Odisha government in the second phase for the completion of Rengali Left Bank Canal.
With the completion of the 71.31 kilometer canal work, as much as 39,416 hectare of agricultural land will be irrigated, said an official after attending a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik yesterday.
While the construction work for the 29-kms long main canal is in progress under the state government scheme at an expenditure of Rs 288.81 crore, JICA will sanction the money for the construction work of main canal and distribution system, the official said.

The construction of the project, which will begin soon, is set to be completed by 2023.
Of the targeted 39,416 hectare land to be irrigated, comprising 5,788 hectare of Bhuban branch canal system, 8,110 hectare of Sukinda branch canal system, 6,640 hectare of Barapada branch canal system, 13,195 hectare of Korei branch canal system, another 5,633 hectare of land can be irrigated when the project gets fully completed.