Hajipur Gandak Project in limbo

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">HAJIPUR: The process of re-establishment of Hajipur Gandak Project is yet to be initiated even after a mega project worth Rs 20.74 crore was sent to the state government''s water resource department for approval about two years ago. Meanwhile, the employees of Hajipur Gandak Project are languishing in penury but they have not given up their hope.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">According to official sources, the mega project, sent to the water resource department for approval includes the construction of 167 km long canal irrigation system and land excavation."After the completion of the canal, the farmers of Vaishali district would be able to conduct irrigation in 1.12 lakh hectors of land, hitherto unused and uncultivated," said an official of Hajipur Gandak Project.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">In fact, the Hajipur Gandak Project was established here, about a couple of decades ago to ensure the supply of water for irrigation of Rabi and Kharif crops in Vaishali and Muzaffarpur districts through 227 km long canal irrigation system. "But the construction of only 60 km canal could be completed on account of paucity of funds," disclosed official sources.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">According to official sources, only 300 ghansec water is mostly released in canals against the requirement of 1300 ghansec water to meet irrigational demands entirely due to decade-old canal irrigation system in Vaishali district. The embankments of canals are not in a condition to bear the pressure of 1300 ghansec water if released at a time, disclosed sources.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">In the last two years, embankments of canals have got eroded and rampant cutting of trees planted on them by the people have weakened them.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">At present, only water for irrigation is made available through canals for Rabi and Kharif crops in 500 to 900 hectors of cultivable land against the requirement of 1200 to 1500 hectors of lands. "It happens only because of poor condition of embankments," said official sources.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">"The mega project of Rs 20.74 crore which is still waiting for department''s approval would have enough scope to strengthen the embankments and enhance the irrigational systems in district," confirmed sources.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">In the beginning, work for 44 small canals and other related works were initiated at an estimated cost of Rs 365 crore but, unfortunately the work could not proceed ahead due to the apathy of government, disclosed a senior project official, on the condition of anonymity.</span><br /><br /><span style="" font-family:="" arial="" font-size:="">Apart from this, a residential colony of the Gandak Project staff still exists at Paswan Chowk and about Rs 10 lakh are spent on the salary of staff who have no work to do. Some of the staff members have even left the flats in the colony giving them to others on rent, said sources.</span></div> </div>