Jajpur: Construction of nine lift irrigation (LI) points (as part of a mega irrigation project) aimed at irrigating 12,000 hectares in Barchana, Bari, Dharmasala, Jajpur and Rasulpur blocks in this district is reportedly moving at a snail’s pace, causing discontent among farmers. The cost of these projects is estimated at Rs 500 crore.
When the state government started work on these projects in 2011-12 across rivers Kelua, Birupa, Tantighai, Dudhei and Kharashrota, farmers in the five blocks were hopeful of getting irrigation facilities.
It was learnt that only 10 per cent of the projects across Kharashrota in Tulashipur and Routraypur has been completed. Farmers have blamed the apathy of the department concerned for the tardy pace of work.
The LI wing of the water resources department has been executing these projects with an aim to irrigate 2,000 hectares in Barchana; 3,700 hectares in Bari; 5,400 hectares in Dharmasala and Korei; and 1,700 hectares in Jajpur.
Pipe laying work has started while some structures along the riverbanks have been abandoned. It is said that the work has been delayed due to disputes among the old and new contractual agencies.
The irrigation project at Tulasipur will supply water to many villages including Sribantpur, Kandsara, Kanpur, Dianchhak, Tikarpada, Kujibar, Darkundi and Tulasipur.
Water tank construction for the project at Routraypur has not been completed even though two and a half years have passed. It was alleged that the construction firm has botched up its work.
The project aims at giving irrigation coverage to farmland in several villages including Badatikiri, Dasgadia, Khairabada, Nahanda, Kurupada, Brahmanbad and Routraypur.
Many farmers such as Rabindra Behera of Bhagirathipur and Anirudhha Patra of Tikarpada said they will immensely benefit if these projects are executed.
Executive engineer of the mega irrigation project, Sushant Kumar Rout, said, “We are making all possible efforts to complete these project by December, 2018. However, problems arise during pipe laying work when farmers raise objections in some cases, leading to the delay.”
PNN