Japan to fund Chhindwara irrigation project

New Delhi, June 15 (UNI) The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) has agreed to fund the Pench Diversion Scheme for Irrigation in Chhindwara, the Parliamentary constituency in Madhya Pradesh, represented by Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath.

Mr Nath, who is on an official visit to Japan, raised the matter with the Chairman of JBIC in Tokyo yesterday in the presence of his counterpart minister of Japan for funding of this important project.

The Pench Diversion Scheme, costing Rs 564 crore, will irrigate almost 1,00,000 hectares in Chhindwara and Seoni Districts of Madhya Pradesh.

Mr Nath had been pursuing the matter for the last two years with the Water Resources Ministry, the Planning Commission and the Department of Economic Affairs for funding through the JBIC, and final approval was obtained in April 2006.

Following the discussions with Mr Nath, the JBIC will be sending a high level team to India. The team is expected to meet officials of the Department of Economic Affairs and Water Resources Ministry on June 19 and finalise details of the funding.

JBIC is also sending their technical team to Chhindwara and Bhopal to evaluate the project report.

He hoped the project would be completed within three years.

UNI PC CS PM1551