The Chhattisgarh Government has started constructing Anicuts in insurgency infested Bastar region to ensure adequate supply of irrigation water for the farmers. The Government has sanctioned Rs5.14 crore for constructing an Anicut in Bakawand block of insurgency hit Bastar district, officials informed .
The Anicut which will be constructed in Kokhkapal of Bakawand block would solve the water scarcity problem and also irrigate farm lands in the area. The State Water Resources Department has released an order in this connection from the Mantralaya in Naya Raipur.
After the construction of Anicut, it would increase irrigation area by 310 hectares. The officials have been instructed to complete work within the prescribed time limit, officials stated.
It may be mentioned that the Chhattisgarh government has set the target to develop additional irrigation capacity of nearly four lakh hectares area during the next four years, officials stated.
From 12th to 19th phase of NABARD Scheme, a total of 29 projects have been completed to add up 19,748 hectares to irrigation capacity of the State.
Betterment of agriculture-farmers is simply not possible without the expansion of irrigation facilities.The State Government has always taken it as its priority to ensure proper utilization of water-resources for expanding total area of irrigated land in state, they stated.
As a result of several measures, the irrigation capacity of the State has increased from 20 per cent to 34.20 per cent. During Kharif season, the actual irrigated area in state expanded from 5.35 lakh hectare to 11.70 lakh hectare.
Nearly 74.19 per cent of the total irrigation capacity of the State is being utilized for kharif crops, which is far better than many states of the country, officials claimed.
A decade back, water supply for irrigation of only 11,000 hectares was available during Rabi season. Now the capacity has expanded by 10 times.
Presently, the State has availability of water supply sufficient for irrigation of nearly 1.10 lakh hectare of land. In Kharif and Rabi season, 67 per cent of the total irrigation capacity of the State is utilized.
The State government has facilitated water-supply to agricultural farms through its eight big, 35 medium and 2390 small irrigation schemes. Construction of Anicuts and stop dams has proved beneficial for drinking water supply, irrigation, effluents and groundwater conservation.
The government has given preference to construction of Anicuts and stop dams on rivers and pond. As many as 383 Anicuts have already been constructed on various rivers of the State. Presently, construction of eight big, four medium and 343 small irrigation schemes is in progress. A total of 325 new Anicuts are also under construction.
Out of the six barrages under construction at Mahanadi for industrial purpose, construction of Samoda and Mirauni barrages are at final stage of completion. Top works of Kelo extensive irrigation project in Raigarh have been already completed. This project has enabled irrigation of 23,000 hectares.
Hasdeo Bango Project is a multipurpose extensive irrigation project. Entire construction works under this project have been completed. As per the scheme, Hasdeo Bango project will enable irrigation facility for 800 villages of Korba, Janjgir-Champa and Raigarh district. From this project, another project called Arpa-Bhainsajhar extensive project worth Rs625 crores have also been started, which has created additional irrigation capacity of 25,000 hectares.
A sum of Rs10 crores have been provisioned for electricity line extension so as to electrify the irrigation pumps placed in water collection area of 150 Anicuts, constructed for expansion of irrigation capacity. To encourage micro irrigation, ‘State funded Micro Irrigation Scheme’ has been started. Under this scheme, farmers are granted 75 per cent of the unit cost.
Ambitious Kelo Extensive Project of Raigarh district has also been completed and action plan is being made to supply water for irrigation of 25,000 hectares.
Kosarteda Irrigation Water Reservoir in tribal populated Bastar area of the State, which was lying under-constructed since long, was eventually completed in June 2008. This scheme created irrigation capacity of 9,500 hectares in tribal areas.
Keeping in view Naya Raipur Project Area’s demand of drinking water-supply by 2040, two Anicuts have been constructed in village Tila and Ravar on River Mahanadi.
Action plan has been chalked out to utilize groundwater sources in Chhattisgarh. At present, 34.87 per cent ground water is being utilized for agriculture and other works.
Under various beneficiary oriented schemes, State Government has provided irrigation facility for 12,625 hectares area through 2525 tube-wells. Field channel plays important role in supplying water to fields for irrigation through canals. Using field channel system, wastage of water is prevented through lining.
Till date, lining of more than 11 lakh meters has been done in various areas of Chhattisgarh. Mutual Participation Water Management Scheme has been started to ensure participation of farmers in irrigation management. The member farmers of water consumer associations have been entrusted with the responsibility of the Irrigation Management.