The lining work for 400 kms long canal from the century-old Kharang Irrigation Reservoir is on full swing for enabling easier access of water by the farmers along the canal in Bilaspur district.
On the directives of Chief Minister Raman Singh , the Water Resources Department had accorded administrative approval for grant of Rs 101 crore to complete lining work for the canal. So far, the lining work had already been completed in 350 kms length of the canal which would bring better water access to the farmers who cultivate their land along the canal in the district, according to an official press release issued here on Sunday.
The earmarked irrigational capacity of Kharang reservoir is 4,000 hectares. After the completion of the canal lining work , water from the reservoir would start reaching a total of 38 villages in Masturi Assembly segment of Bilaspur district while enabling irrigation of an additional 10,250 hectares (25,625 acres) of land.
With this the total irrigational capacity of the Kharang reservoir would reach 14,250 hectares (35,625 acres). As a result, the State Government has now also approved a drinking water supply scheme from the reservoir. It may be mentioned that the Kharang reservoir was not getting filled up earlier due to scanty rainfall which was affecting irrigation of agricultural land along the canal during the Kharif season.
Keeping this in mind, Chief Minister Raman Singh had decided to approve funds for lining work of the canal while also directing to make Ahiran Reservoir as a ‘feeder’ for providing 70 million cubic meters of water under the Water Extraction Scheme.This would result in the Bilaspur district getting 81 million litres of daily water supply.