By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net
Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh Government has initiated a unique scheme christened as Atal Gram Sarovar Project for construction of irrigation tanks to augment irrigation facilities in the state. Under this, minimum five projects each would be taken up in all 230 Assembly constituencies.
Thus, over one thousand irrigation tanks would be constructed annually creating additional irrigation potential for 2.5 lakh hectares.
As many as 849 minor irrigation projects have been sanctioned for all districts under the scheme. This would create irrigation facility for over two lakh hectares. The scheme is estimated to cost Rs. 1785 crore.
An expenditure of Rs. 404.63 crore has been proposed in the first year (2007-08) of the 11th Five Year Plan for minor irrigation projects in the state. Besides, a budget provision of Rs. 13.56 crore has been made this year for survey of minor irrigation projects.
An ambitious target has been fixed to construct water structures in all such villages, which lack irrigation facility due to absence of the same. This work is being carried out in a phased manner. The construction of new tanks would help ensure proper irrigation in larger areas in all 230 Assembly constituencies.
There are water structures near about 30,000 villages. Over one thousand small and big water structures would be constructed annually to cover remaining 22 villages annually. This would also solve drinking water problem in these villages. ([email protected])