525cr set aside in budget for flood-control, irrigation

Kochi: The state budget, which has given priority to the completion of the ongoing irrigation projects, has also extended its focus on flood-control activities across the state.
A total of Rs 525.45 crore has been allocated for irrigation and flood control activities. Of this, Rs 184 crore is for major-medium irrigation projects, Rs 169.18 crore for minor irrigation projects and Rs 159.67 crore for flood control and coastal zone management.
An amount of Rs 10 crore has been set apart for Idamalayar major irrigation project.
In his budget speech, the finance minister promised that all major incomplete irrigation projects in the state will be commissioned before 2026. “Karappuzha, Banasura Sagar irrigation projects in Wayanad district will be commissioned in 2025. The allotment for Karappuzha project has been enhanced from Rs 17 crore to Rs 20 crore. The allotment for Banasura Sagar project has been enhanced from Rs 12 crore to Rs 18 crore. An amount of Rs 2.60 crore is earmarked for minor irrigation projects at Cauvery river basin,” the finance minister said.
An amount of Rs 1.80 crore has been set apart for constructing minor irrigation projects at Bhavani river basin and check dams at Attapadi. An amount of Rs 14 crore has been allocated for the final phase of Pattissery dam in Idukki. Also, Rs 58 crore has been earmarked for the phase-II of ‘Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project’(DRIP) and Rs 5 crore for the renovation works of canal networks of Kuttiady Irrigation Project.
An amount of Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for a project to construct the outer bunds of paddy land (Padasekharam) of Kuttanad.