Orissa chief minister launch irrigation project

Berhampur (Orissa), Feb 4 (PTI) Irrigation sector inOrissa''s Ganjam district is likely to get a boost with chiefminister Naveen Patnaik declaring that 790 minor irrigationprojects (MIPs) would be taken up under the repair, renovationand restoration (RRR) scheme.

At total of Rs 248.32 crore would be spent for thescheme in the district in next three years, Patnaik said afterlaying the foundation stone for repair and renovation of 68MIPs at Talapada village in Khallikote block.

After completion of the scheme, irrigation potentialof an additional 32,379 hectares of land would be created inthe district, official sources said.

The Centre-sponsored scheme is being implemented in21 districts including Ganjam for revival of 1761 minorirrigation projects at an estimated cost of Rs 576.15 crore.

An additional 88,293 hectares would get irrigationpotential after revival of the project.

"Our government is giving stress on small irrigationprojects to create irrigation potential in the state," Pataiktold a gathering at Talapada village. Besides restoration andrenovation of the MIPs, he said construction of several checkdams in various places of the state was going on.

"These will boost irrigation potential as farmers willget water throughout the year. It will increase productivityof different crops," he said.