MP gearing up to fully use Narmada water

Bhopal, May 23 (UNI) Amid the controversy over inadequate rehabilitation of the dam affected families, the Madhya Pradesh government is planning to take up new projects for full utilisation of the state's share of 182.50 lakh acre feet Narmada water by 2026.

The urgency for full utilisation of its share stems from the fact that if Madhya Pradesh failed to utilise the allocated volume of water in the given time period, other beneficiary states would be allocated the volume.

A high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan here yesterday reviewed the progress of Narmada projects and decided to focus on completing new projects and construction of canals of the ongoing projects.

At present, Madhya Pradesh was using only 50 lakh acre feet Narmada water. Even if all proposed projects are completed, only 150 lakh acre feet water would be utilised. In such a situation, new projects needed to be taken up.

Rani Avanti Bai Sagar (Bargi dam) would irrigate additional 40,000 hectares this year, Bargi diversion scheme about 50,000 hectares, Indira Sagar project 32,000 hectares, Maan project 15,000 hectares and Jobat project would irrigate 10,000 hectares.

Construction of the 10 megawatt Bargi canal head power house has been completed, while construction of 15 MW unit of Indira Sagar canal head power house was in progress. NHDC would take up construction of 5 MW power house of Omkareshwar canal head. The Omkareshwar power project would generate 520 MW and Maheshwar 400 MW.

Besides, 15 small hydel power projects across Narmada in various stages of construction would generate 372 MW.

The Chief Minister has suggested to explore the possibilities of water tourism and fish farming in Narmada reservoirs.

UNI SP PK DS1150