102 schemes to create irrigation potential of 12,904 heactars: Gourakishore

Imphal, March 17, 2018 (DIPR):  The Minor Irrigation Department is currently taking up 102 Minor Irrigation schemes with an approved project cost of Rs 170.37 crores to create irrigation potential of 12,904 Hectares said Chief Engineer, Minor Irrigation Department Shri L. Gourakishore. He was addressing mediapersons during the series of press conference organised by the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) held at its office complex, Moirangkhom, Imphal today.

Speaking at the press conference, Chief Engineer, Minor Irrigation Department Shri L. Gourakishore said that so far Rs.108.63 crores (both Central and State Matching Share) has been released and irrigation potential of 11616 Hectares(i.e 90%) has been created upto February 2018. For the year 2017-18, the State Government has released State Matching Share (SMS) i.e. Rs. 4.939 crores and corresponding Central Share is awaited from the Ministry WR, RD and GR, Government of India, he added. Apart from the State Plan Fund, the MI Department is taking up various MI schemes under Centrally Sponsored Schemes like PMKSY (earlier AIBP), NEC fund, RIDF (NABARD) etc.

Since 1999-2000 to 2011-12, 843 Minor Irrigation Schemes have been completed and irrigation potential of 43,514 Hectares created with an expenditure of Rs. 299.94 crores under PMKSY. The Department is currently taking up five schemes under NEC funding. The projects are construction of Concrete Weir across Sekmai River at Sekmai Old Bridge, Construction of Concrete Dam across Heirok Litan Makhong in Thoubal, construction of pick up Weir across Loklai River at Penjang, construction of Gated Weir across Yaralkhong at Gurupat, construction of pick up Weir and P/Canal across Thoubal River at Hungpung, Chihui, Kaziphung village, construction of Mini barrage across Langathel River nearby lamlong Khunou.

Shri L. Gourakishore further stated that under One Time Special Assistance Scheme (Central Plan Scheme), the Department is taking up construction of Rain Water Harvesting in ten places- two each at Churachandpur, Ukhrul, Senapati, Chandel and Tamenglong District. At the first phase, five work projects at Kangpokpi, Tamenglong, Kamjong, Chandel and Churachnadpur has been approved for the year 2017-18. He maintained the stock of rain water will provide water for irrigation and other purposes to the farmers and also to supplement for Water Supply Schemes during lean season.

Under State Plan Fund, a sum of Rs 26 lakhs has been approved for purchase of five Diesel water Pumping Sets along with accessories, Rs 40 lakhs for renovation of RLI schemes at Heingang, Rs 20 lakhs for renovation of P/W and I/Canal at Lenglong, Rs 85 lakhs for renovation of the office of the Chief Engineer, MI Department, Lamphelpat, Rs 12 lakhs for construction of Irrigation Canal at Koirengei, Rs 55 lakhs for modernisation of Sluice Regulator a/c Ningthibikhong and construction of Retaining walls on both sides of the stream of Nungei Makha Leikai, Rs 12 lakhs for renovation of RLI at Mayang Imphal area and Rs 100 lakhs for construction of Irrigation canal at Sekmai Shantipur.

The Chief Engineer lamented that the main hurdle during implementation of schemes is the gradual decrease of perennial water resources due to global warming and climate change. Constant mining of stone and sand from streams and rivers is leading to the decrease of waterbed level. He said that enactment of State Water Policy is very much needed in the State.

Executive Engineer, Shri W. Ingobi, Executive Engineer Shri H. Brojendro were also present during the press conference.