The Bodhghat project affected rehabilitation and management policy will be made after holding talks with people, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said.
The affected people will be given land for land and house for house so that no one is at loss, he said, adding that his government's key goal was trust, development and security.
The Chief Minister was holding a discussion with public representatives from Bastar on the Bodhghat Multipurpose Irrigation Project at his official residence on Friday.
He said the project will have far reaching impact on Bastar and its people will be the sole beneficiaries. The project has been pending for the last 40 years as earlier it was conceptualized as a hydel project. Now it has been converted into an irrigation project.
The project will cover Dantewada, Bijapur and Sukma districts through irrigation by covering 3.66 lakh hectares.
Baghel said due to Covid-19 and lockdown, it has been proven that a large number of people move out in search of jobs. So, there is a need to involve them in economic activities.
Agriculture and Water Resources Minister Ravindra Choubey said Bastar is totally dependent on monsoon for crops. Irrigation facilities have to be enhanced to benefit the tribal farmers.
Forest and Environment Minister Mohammed Akbar suggested a phase-wise completion of the project. Baghel promised to look into the technical aspects of the request.
Industries Minister Kawasi Lakhma suggested earmarking land before the rehabilitation process begins.