During the Rabi season, farmers of Chhattisgarh will get water from irrigation reservoirs for different varieties of crops of more than 1.15 lakh hectare area.
Water Resources Minister Brijmohan Agrawal approved a proposal in this regard at a meeting of chief engineers and superintending engineers held under his chairmanship at the Data Centre of the department, said in an official statement issued here on Friday. Departmental officers said that as per the approved work plan, target has been set to supply water for 50,190 hectares from Mahanadi irrigation project, 28,391 hectares from the tanks of Mahanadi Godavari basin project, 11,365 hectares from Hasdeo basin project and 25,632 hectares from Hasdeo Ganga basin project tanks, during Rabi this year.
Agrawal instructed the officers to ensure necessary preparations beforehand. Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources department NK Aswal and Engineer-in-Chief HR Kutare were also present at the meeting. Officers informed at the meeting that an irrigation capacity of 3,91,000 hectare has been built up through the four major, five medium and 302 small irrigation projects under the Mahanadi project.
Out of which, a target had been set to supply water for 3,00,696 hectare Kharif crops in the year 2012-13, against which, on the demand of farmers, water has been supplied for 2,67,295 hectare. During Rabi season water had been supplied to 48,156 hectare. In the year 2013-14, a target has been fixed to release water from Mahanadi irrigation projects for 50,190 hectare. Similarly, from Mahanadi Godavari basin water will be released for 28,391 hectare. During last few years 6,41,648 hectare irrigation capacity had been built up in this project area, through its four major, 20 medium and 1,232 minor irrigation projects.
During 2012-13, on the demands of farmers, water has been supplied for 4,05,623 hectare kharif crop and for 11,488 hectare rabi crops.