The State Government has decided to provide irrigation water in the command area of major irrigation dams for summer crops. For this, water will be discharged in the canals from dam reservoirs.
As much as 28,000 farmers under the command area of Omkareshwar irrigation project will be benefited. They would be able to produce cotton, chilli and moong in summer. It is to note here that farmers of the command area, most of them suffering from hailstorms and untimely rains were demanding irrigation water for summer crop to compensate their losses.
To provide water for summer crop, Omkareshwar dam reservoir level would be increased to the level of 191m from present 189m level. In 2012, it had been filed upto the level of 191m. At that time on the demand of some reservoir affected families, water level was brought down to 189m and Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had sanctioned special package.
This package amounting to Rs225 crore was in addition to the compensation provided under rehabilitation policy. Most of the affected families were shifted from the reservoir area after being given the benefit of the special package. It is to note here that there would be no threat to human life or property by bringing water level to 191m.
As per an estimate Omkareshwar canal would provide water to 60,000 acres for the summer crop. Production of three lakh quintals cotton, four lakh quintals chilli and 1.60 lakh quintal moong crop is estimated. This production amounts to be near Rs560 crore.
Villagers of the command area had demonstrated and gheraoed the team of Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India, which visited the command area last month, demanding irrigation water in the canals lying dried in the area.