Ensure deadlines for water conservation projects: Saini

Chandigarh: With special focus on water conservation projects, Haryana CM Nayab Saini on Saturday directed the concerned officials to ensure strict adherence to the deadlines of projects. Saini directed officials to implement a modern and water-efficient irrigation system across the state, announcing 85% govt subsidy for construction of community water tanks aimed at ensuring irrigation water reaches every farm.Chairing a review meeting of the irrigation and water resources department's five-year action plan under Haryana Vision-2047 at the civil secretariat, the chief minister said the state must move beyond traditional irrigation methods and adopt advanced technologies in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Per Drop-More Crop" vision.Saini said farmer groups should be formed and community tanks constructed for every 10 acres or more of agricultural land. These tanks would be supplied with canal water through pipelines and irrigation would be carried out using drip and sprinkler systems. Solar panels will also be installed on the tanks.The pilot project will initially be launched in nine districts — Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Gurugram, Mahendragarh, Nuh, Rewari, Hisar, Jhajjar and Sirsa. The chief minister said the new irrigation model would reduce dependence on tubewells, save electricity and ensure efficient use of limited water resources.He directed officials to discourage open-field irrigation practices and expand micro-irrigation systems, particularly for sugarcane and cotton crops from this year onwards. The Irrigation Department was also asked to float tenders for converting agricultural land in selected districts to micro-irrigation systems in collaboration with agri-technology companies.Saini further asked the Department of Future to study irrigation technologies used in countries such as Israel and assist in modernising Haryana's irrigation infrastructure.During another review meeting on the Public Health Engineering Department's Haryana Vision-2047 roadmap, the chief minister directed officials to prepare a time-bound five-year plan for ensuring clean drinking water and sewerage facilities to every household in the state.He stressed adoption of global best practices, expansion of sewerage networks, reuse of treated wastewater and development of smart cities with 24x7 water supply, particularly in cities like Gurugram. Officials were also directed to minimise water loss and improve coordination among departments to avoid repeated road digging for utility works. MSID:: 131281755 413 |