Bansagar project to irrigate MP, UP, Bihar fields

Bhopal, Sep 22 (UNI) The inter-state Bansagar irrigation project on Sone river in Madhya Pradesh will provide irrigation facility to nearly four lakh hectare area in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

The Rs 2964 crore project, which was completed 18 years behind schedule due to financial crunch, will be dedicated to the nation by former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee at Devlod village in Rewa district on September 25. It will also generate hydel power of 425 megawatt.

The then Prime Minister Morarji Desai had laid the foundation stone of the project in the Vindhya region on May 14, 1978 and it was scheduled to be completed in 10 years. The project was delayed due to financial crisis in the state and lack of cooperation from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, official sources said, adding cooperation of both states were enlisted recently leading to completion of the project.

The project's expenditure cost was to be shared among MP, UP and Bihar in the ratio of 2:1:1.

It will provide irrigation potential in 1.54 lakh hectare in MP. This include 93,056 hectare in Rewa district, 23,186 hectare in Satna, 34,398 hectare in Sidhi and 4,047 hectare in Shahdol district. Besides, it will provide irrigation facility in 1.50 lakh hectare area in Uttar Pradesh and 94,398 hectare in Bihar.

Ten turbines had been installed for generating 425 megawatt energy.

Bansagar project will also facilitate production of about 975 matric tonnes of fish every year generating income of about Rs 2 crore and solve drinking water problem in Rewa and Satna towns.

A total of 58,408 hectare area had submerged under the project, which affected 336 villages, including 79 villages completely.

The affected villages include 69 in Shahdol district, 175 in Satna district, 55 villages in Katni district and 37 villages in Umaria district. Two townships and 18 model villages had been developed for the rehabilitation of the displaced families, the sources added.

To explore water tourism in the project area, boating and water transporting facilities were being provided. The project is close to tourist circuits like Khajuraho, Amarkantak and Bandhavgarh national park.

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