Ensure third party evaluation of Narmada Valley projects: CM
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that third party evaluation of all the projects run under Narmada Valley Development Authority must be done. Work should be done by fixing the date line of all the projects to be completed by the year 2023. Also, make sure to start the work from now on the 17 projects which are to be started in 2023. It is necessary to educate and make farmers aware about irrigation with sprinkler and drip irrigation. With this, irrigation will be possible in more area than the water received by the state from Narmada Valley.
Chief Minister Chouhan was addressing the review meeting of Narmada Valley Development Authority in Mantralaya. Chief Secretary Iqbal Singh Bains, Additional Chief Secretary and Vice President Narmada Valley Development Authority I.C.P. Kesari, Additional Chief Secretary Finance Manoj Govil and other officers were present.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that elaborate security arrangements should be ensured during the work of Sleemanabad channel of Bargi diversion project. Temporary displacement at the time of work should be done only after taking public into confidence and ensuring certain arrangements.
The Chief Minister said that with the completion of the projects, irrigation facilities are being made available to the farmers. He directed that farmers’ conferences should be organized with the aim of creating awareness among farmers and developing their sense of duty for charging irrigation charges.
Chief Minister Chouhan said that a special group should be formed to encourage sprinkler and drip irrigation with the aim of irrigating maximum area with the water allotted to the state. He specifically asked to motivate the farmers to adopt drip irrigation and sprinkler in Malwa and Nimar region.
It was informed that out of the projects to be completed in this financial year, Bhurlai, Kodwar and Punasa expansion projects of Khandwa district have been completed. Chhegaonmakhan in Khandwa, Alirajpur in Alirajpur district and Bistan project of Khargone will be completed by the end of December. Irrigation facility will be available in 98 thousand115 hectare area from these 6 projects built at a total cost of Rs 1835 crore.
It was informed in the meeting that by the year 2022-23, 11 projects would be completed. These include Kilaud and Pamakhedi of Khandwa, Simroj Ambachandan of Indore, Amba Rodia, Chaudi Zamania and Balakwara of Khargone, Dhimarkheda of Katni, Chhipaner of Sehore, Jawar of Khandwa, Nagalwadi of Barwani and Khargone and Durgawati project of Jabalpur. With the completion of these projects, irrigation facility will be available in 1 lakh 62 thousand hectare area.
