Bhubaneswar: The state Cabinet today approved a major tender under the Integrated Anandapur Barrage Project to expand irrigation coverage in Balasore district through an underground pipeline system.
The project involves construction of distribution system for 7171.77 Ha of CCA including Command Area Development of Salandi Left Main Canal from RD 40.927 km to 45.570 km. The work will be executed through an Underground Pipe Line Irrigation system with gravity flow on EPC-Turn Key Basis, along with operation and maintenance for five years.
The Cabinet approved an execution cost of Rs 145,70,89,802 (Rupees one hundred forty-five crore seventy lakh eighty-nine thousand eight hundred two) excluding GST. The Operation & Maintenance cost for five years has been pegged at Rs 7,30,00,199 excluding GST. The work is scheduled to be completed in 24 calendar months.
Officials said the project will provide irrigation facility to 7171.77 Ha of cultivable command area in Soro and Oupada blocks of Balasore district through the underground pipeline distribution system. The Integrated Anandapur Barrage Project is a major irrigation project that includes construction of the Anandapur Barrage across river Baitarani, three main canals, and a distribution network through both open canals and underground pipelines. It also includes Command Area Development & Water Management works to provide irrigation to 60,000 Ha in Keonjhar and Balasore districts.
Construction of the barrage, raising and strengthening of the Salandi river system, and distribution in 3,000 Ha through open canal system has already been completed. For the balance 57,000 Ha, which was originally planned as open flow canals, the government has now decided to take up the work through underground pipeline gravity flow system in nine packages.
This shift is aimed at overcoming delays in land acquisition. Once fully completed, the project is expected to give a major boost to agriculture in Keonjhar and Balasore districts.
