Government to speed up land acquisition

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has decided to expedite land acquisition for completion of large irrigation projects in the State which have been delayed for years.Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday reviewed the execution of large irrigation projects at a high-level meeting here. The projects include Left and Right canals of Rengali, Subarnarekha Project, extension of the Upper Indravati Project, Indra, Kanupur, Suktel and Anandpur irrigation projects. Irrigation potential will grow by 1.4 lakh hectares during the next three years with the completion of these projects.The Indravati Extension Project was launched in 2004. In the 2010 kharif irrigation was provided to 2,500 hectares by this project. Now work on Shagada acquaduct and Kusumkhunti branch canal of the project is going on. Irrigation can be provided to 16,150 hectares after completion of these works. The project targets to provide irrigation to 25,484 hectares.Construction of dam and dyke of the Lower Indra Irrigation Project with a capacity to irrigate 29,000 hectares has completed. The Left Main Canal will be completed by June. Official sources said 55 per cent of dam work and 12 per cent spillway of the Kanupur Irrigation Project have been finished. The project with a capacity to irrigate 29,578 hectares will be finished by June, 2015.Besides, the Rengali Left Canal is now providing irrigation to 20,600 hectares. The project will provide irrigation to 5,310 hectares more in 2011-12. Work of two main canals and distribution network of Rengali Right Canal have been completed.The Subarnarekha Project is now providing irrigation to 3,530 hectares with the completion of the Jambira Right Canal. Work on the Chandili Dam and Galudiha Barrage of this inter-state project has already been finished.According to official sources, 95 per cent work of Left Canal of Galudiha Barrage has been completed. Survey and alignment works of Anandpur barrage and Lower Suktel Project are in progress.