Bhubaneswar: The State Cabinet today approved the lowest financial bid for execution of four lift irrigation schemes in Rayagada and Gajapati districts under the “Parbati Giri Mega Lift Irrigation Scheme”.
The project aims to create additional irrigation potential of about 4,050 Ha in Rayagada and Gajapati by lifting water from Harabhangi River and Vansadhara River at Dhuapadar, Karanpadu ISS and Pradhaniguda ISS. Water will be lifted through an intake system and distributed through a pressurized pipeline network.
The Cabinet approved an execution cost of Rs 133,19,72,318.21 (Rupees one hundred thirty three crore nineteen lakh seventy two thousand three hundred eighteen and twenty one paise) excluding GST. The Operation & Maintenance cost for 15 years is Rs 12,37,35,133.39 excluding GST. The work is scheduled to be completed in 36 calendar months.
Officials said farmers of 29 villages in Rayagada district and 9 villages in Gajapati district will benefit from the project. Due to micro irrigation compatibility, farmers will be encouraged to shift from high water-intensive paddy to cash crops. The project is also expected to improve the socio-economic condition of upland farmers.
The “Parbati Giri Mega Lift Irrigation Scheme” was formulated with a total outlay of Rs 10,759.20 crore to provide supplemental kharif irrigation in upland areas covering about 2,63,801 Ha across the state.
The scheme focuses on lifting surplus water from rivers, reservoirs and canals to irrigate areas that could not be covered under normal flow irrigation due to geographical constraints. With today’s approval, work on Cluster No.XXXV will commence to expand irrigation coverage in the southern districts.
