Kerala Govt to spend Rs 186 cr on irrigation projects

Palakkad, Jan 25 (UNI) Kerala Irrigation Minister N K Premachandran today said the government had allocated Rs 185.36 crore for implementing various irrigation projects in the district.

Talking to reporters here, he said apart from this, Rs 50.36 crore, sanctioned in the agriculture package for uplifting farmers by the Centre, would also be utilisted for irrigation and agriculture in the district.

Mr Premachandran said 67 checks dams would be constructed in Bharathiapuzha and Bhavani River at a cost of Rs 28.62 crore.

Besides, 19 diversion banks costing Rs 4.31 crore would also be constructed in the Bharathapuzha from the fund, he added.

The Irrigation Minister informed work on Palakapandi Irrigation Project was almost completed and the government was expecting to commission the project in this year iteself.

To help water reach quickly to farmers, the canals from the Malampuzha Dam would be widened, he added.

Mr Premachandran opined if the talks on Mullaperiyar issue with Tamil Nadu government resumed, the Siruvani and Parambikulam issues would also be included in the agenda.

UNI