District-wise review was undertaken for implementation of Bhopal-Indore Corridor Scheme with officers of Bhopal, Sehore, Dewas, Shajapur, Ujjain and Indore districts recently.
It was informed in the meeting that due to limited area in Bhopal district, farmers of the district can avail less benefit of the scheme.
Farmers of Sehore district were also taking less interest in the scheme since farmers on both sides of the 9-km-long road there could avail benefit in only 2 kilometre area. Now farmers in 10 km radius of both sides of the 10 km long road on Sehore road (from Bhadbhada to Sehore) can also avail benefit of the scheme along with those situated on 9 km long stretch. Since Ratibarh and nearby areas have already been identified for clusters of polyhouses by Horticulture Department, it is proposed to develop polyhouses in 50 hectares in these areas. Coverage of new areas will facilitate implementation of the scheme. In this way, in the interest of farmers in the areas of 2 km radius, its radius has been increased to 10 kms.
It was also decided payment of subsidy will be made in 2 installments instead of one. First installment will be given on completion of 50 percent work and second on completion of 100 percent work.
Earlier, villages from Sehore to Bhainskheri including Khajuri Sadak, Bhauri, Bakaniya, Phanda etc. were covered under the scheme. With increase in radius, villages from Bhadbhada to Sehore including Neelbad, Ratibarh, Jhagariya Khurd, Amla, Badjhiri, Sarwar, Fatehpura Dobra, Bhanpur, Kekadiya, Samasgarh, Barkhera Nathu, Mugaliya Chhap and area in 10 km radius from them can also take benefit of the scheme.
Under protected farming in the corridor, horticulture and vegetable cultivation has been included in net-houses and polyhouses. Under the scheme, Jharbera, Dutch Rose, Coronation and other flowers and unseasonal foreign vegetables can be grown on roadsides. Under it, polyhouses measuring 500 square meters to 4 thousand metres (one acre). Each polyhouse will cost about Rs. 844 per square meter. The state government gives 50 percent subsidy on construction of polyhouse. The department will extend assistance to make available loans for remaining 50 percent. Crop insurance coverage is also provided to save farmers from loss. Besides, training is imparted to farmers to grow flowers and vegetables in polyhouses.