Guj agri production can double to Rs 40,000cr by 2010: SSNNL

Ahmedabad, Dec 13 (UNI) Gujarat's agricultural production could double from Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 crore by the time Narmada project is completed in 2010, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL) Chairman and Managing Director P K Laheri said.

Speaking at a Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)- organised seminar 'Narmada-Gujarat's lifeline' here today, Mr Laheri said as per the present calculation, the Narmada project was likely to be completed by 2010 and by that time consequent to irrigation of 18 lakh hectares of land, Gujarat's present agricultural production would double and could go upto Rs 40,000 crore.

The dam height so far has been raised to 121.92 metres and by June 2007 its 23 branch canals out of 38 branch canals will be completed, including the 360 km long Kutch canal at Radhanpur, considered to be the longest branch canal in the world, Mr Laheri said.

Pointing out obstructions by Narmada Bachchao Andolan's Medha Patkar, Mr Laheri said with the inordinate delay, Gujarat's burden of interest had gone up to Rs 9,000 crore from Rs 8,000 crore.

Terming the project as a 'Bhagirath's job', it involved construction of a vast network of canals and sub-canals for building 10 lakh structures of various kinds resulting in delay of construction schedule.

There were no party politics and all the ministers of Gujarat had extended their support to this project, Mr Laheri said.

He suggested multidisciplinary groups to help farmers make efficient use of water from Narmada.

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