Japanese aid for MP irrigation projects

Bhopal, June 22 (UNI) Timely completion of the canal system of the Rajghat project has paved way for the Japanese Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to extend loan facility to other irrigation projects in Madhya Pradesh.

JBIC had provided Rs 450 crore loan for the Rajghat Canal project and the 275 Km canal had been completed bringing additional 1.21 lakh hectare area under irrigation for both Kharif and Rabi crops this year, official sources said.

Due to optimum use of funds provided by JBIC and completion of canal work in the prescribed schedule, the bank has listed Rajghat project in category 'A' and desired to extend the loan facility to other irrigation projects in the state, the sources added.

Earlier, only 66,000 hectare area was irrigated through the canal till last year. On completion of the canal work, irrigation facility was extended to Ashok Nagar, Tikamgarh, Datia, Shivpuri and Datia districts.

Besides, the canal system also provides for 13 megawatt power generation by the State Electricity Board.

The sources said the canal system would be operated through modern technique under which control and monitoring of canal flow would be done by computer networking.

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