Sixty nine blocks fall short of 35 percent irrigation target, minister admits in the state assembly

Bhubaneswar, 15/11: The Odisha government has fallen short of target of providing irrigation to 35 percent agricultural land in 69 blocks across the state, as admitted by the government in the state assembly {"id":20450,"sizeSlug":"large"} By 2009 March end, irrigation facilities have been created in 28.69 lakh hectare land. Irrigation potential has been added to 13.49 hectare land during the period between 2009 April and 2019 June end. Altogether, irrigation facilities are available in 42.18 lakh hectare land, which accounts for 22 percent of total agricultural land. {"id":20451,"width":583,"height":316,"sizeSlug":"large"} Naveen Patnaik government had set a target of providing at least 35 percent irrigation facilities in all the 314 blocks across the state. But the target has not been fulfilled in all the blocks. As many as 69 blocks fall short of the target, said Water Resources Minister Raghunandan Das, while replying to the question asked by Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati in the state assembly. {"id":20454,"sizeSlug":"large"} The minister said by 2019 June end, more than 35 percent irrigation facilities have been made available in more than 245 blocks out of total 314 blocks. However, the target could not be met in 69 blocks due to technical and geographical factor. {"id":20455,"sizeSlug":"large"} Steps have been taken to augment irrigation potential such as completion of ongoing irrigation projects on priority basis, construction of check dams, sinking deep and shallow tube wells and mega lift irrigation projects in order to meet the target, he said.