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| Comprehensive conservation projects for Tawi, Chenab mooted | | Rs. 56 crore being expended to exploit additional irrigation potential | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | Oct 3
About Rs. 56.40 crore are being incurred to exploit irrigation potential in Jammu province this fiscal to bring more additional area under cultivation which includes Rs. 24.10 crore as state share.
This was revealed at a high level review meeting of Irrigation and Flood Control departments presided by Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Mr. Mohammad Dilawar Mir here, today.
Principal Secretary PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Mr. A.K Angurana, Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Flood Control Jammu Mr. V.K Abrol, Chief Engineer RTIC Mr. P.R Bhagat, concerned S.Es and Executive Engineers of Jammu division were present in the meeting.
While discussing completion and modernization of historic Ranbir Canal, the Minister called for adopting latest technology and mechanical devices with focus on completing this project within 2 years. He directed the engineers to fix a cut-off date for completion of each scheme to check cost over run and cost escalation of building material. The Minister directed for launching a massive anti-encroachment drive to dismantle and remove encroachment on various Nallahs and rivers which cause flash floods.
The Minister also reviewed pace of work on Rs. 53.47 crore Pratap Canal, Rs. 16.18 crore Kathua canal, 38.60 kms long Kandi canal in Thathri Doda. Status of various Irrigation Schemes was also reviewed in other districts of Jammu province.
The Minister urged for creating more Irrigation facilities in Kandi areas adding that rain water conservation and harvesting technology in modern times on a large scale need to be exploited to benefit farmers. He directed engineers to explore sources in water scarce areas of Poonch district to create irrigation facilities there so that more barren land could be made cultivable. He suggested to identify alternate water sources to meet any eventuality in case of drying up of any Irrigation scheme, so that farmer do not face any difficulty.
The meeting was informed that about 100 tube-well at a cost of Rs. 31.64 crore are being drilled in a phased manner to tap ground water for irrigation purposes and supplement surface water sources.
The Minister also directed for replacement of out dated and worn out drilling machines. He also took stock of various anti-erosion works at River Tawi launched during last year at a cost of Rs. 5 crore. So far Rs. 3.37 crore has been expended on the scheme. The Minister called for formulating a comprehensive plan for carrying out holistic anti-erosion works at River Tawi including entire catchment areas. He also called for similar conservation for Chenab river. For this purpose, he ordered for appointing a Nodal officer to coordinate with Central Government Water Resource Ministry.
The meeting also reviewed pace of progress on Rs. 2.24 crore Ranjan Lift Irrigation Scheme envisaging to cover 18.40 km of land for irrigation. The scheme on completion will provide irrigation facility to about 2600 hectares of land.
The Minister exhorted upon the engineers to strive hard to come up to the expectations adding that their service interests would be safe-guarded adequately. He said in the biggest ever exercise, about 100 Incharge Assistant Engineers have been promoted to the rank of Assistant Executive Engineers to reflect government concern about welfare of the engineering fraternity.
Mr. Angurana called for preparing an inventory of irrigation and flood control schemes with focus on completing ongoing schemes without any delay. He called for devising ways and means for harnessing water sources other than traditional ones adding that it was high time to conserve rain water for irrigation purpose to bring green revolution in the state. |
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