CM reviews mega irrigation projects

Bhopal: Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said on Tuesday that continuous efforts are being made to increase area under irrigation in the state. “In areas where new irrigation projects have been started, it is necessary to make farmers aware about the maintenance of canals and proper use of every drop of water, so that we can make maximum use of our resources”, he said while addressing the 119th meeting of the Large Project Control Board held on Tuesday. Water resources minister Tulsiram Silavat, forest minister Dr Kunwar Vijay Shah, agriculture minister Kamal Patel, energy minister Pradyuman Singh Tomar, minister of state for Narmada valley development Bharat Singh Kushwaha, chief secretary Iqbal Singh Bains and others officers were present.In the meeting, administrative approval was given to Bahoriband lift micro-irrigation project worth Rs. 1,110 crore and Shaheed Ilap Singh lift micro-irrigation project worth Rs 720 crore. The Bahoriband project will provide irrigation facilities in 151 villages of Katni district in an area of 32,000 hectares. Irrigation facility will be available in 26, 890 hectare area of 118 villages of Harda district from the Shaheed Ilap Singh project. Technical approval was also granted to Khalwa lift micro irrigation project Phase-2 of the Khandwa district. Through this project, irrigation will be made available in a 7, 910 hectare area of the Khandwa district through the micro irrigation method. Sanctions were also given concerning the remaining works of the Halon irrigation project and Bargi diversion project, which will benefit Mandla district. Necessary approval was given for remaining construction work of the Bahuti canal project originating from the Bansagar reservoir. Irrigation will be available in 1,15,000 hectare area in 383 villages of Rewa and Satna districts from Bahuti canal.