Bhubaneswar, April 10: The Odisha Government on Friday approved four lift irrigation projects in Sambalpur district under the "Parbati Giri Mega Lift Irrigation Scheme".
The State Cabinet headed by Chief Miniter Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday approved a tender for execution of these projects planned to be completed in thirty-six months.
Notably, the "Parbati Giri Mega Lift Irrigation Scheme" was formulated with an outlay of Rs 10,759.20 crore to provide supplemental kharif irrigation in the upland ayacut of about 2,63,801 hectares across the State by lifting available surplus water from rivers/reservoirs and canals which couldn't be irrigated earlier through normal mode of flow irrigation due to its geographical positioning.
“The present work is proposed for execution of 04 nos. of Lift Irrigation Schemes in Cluster No. XXVII with an objective to create an additional irrigation potential of about 6,210 Ha. in the district of Sambalpur by lifting water from Hirakud Reservoir through intake system and subsequent flow through pressurized distribution system along with operation & maintenance of complete commissioned schemes for fifteen years,” stated an official release.
“The State Cabinet today approved the tender for the above work in favor of M/s Megha Engineering & Infrastructures Ltd. for an execution cost of Rs 204,21,88,933 (Rupees Two hundred four crore twenty one lakh eighty eight thousand nine hundred & thirty three) only (without GST) and O&M cost for fifteen years amounting to Rs 16,33,75,115 (Rupees Sixteen crore thirty three lakh seventy five thousand one hundred fifteen) only (without GST). The work is planned to be completed in thirty-six months,” it added.
The farmers of 54 villages of Sambalpur district will be benefited on completion of this project and they will be encouraged to shift from high duty paddy crops to cash crops due to its micro irrigation compatibility. The project will also improve the socio-economic condition of the upland farmers.
