Planning Commission gives nod to investment proposal for modernisation of Haryana’s irrigation network

CHANDIGARH: The Planning Commission of India has given green signal to the investment recommendation for modernisation of Haryana’s irrigation network. The project, which is projected to be worth Rs 115.94 crore, will take up rehabilitation, renovation and modernisation of the damaged channels of the state’s irrigation network.

As per the project recommendation, 36-critically damaged channels from the Bhakra Canal System, 74-critically damaged channels to the lift canal system and 27-critically damaged channels to the Western Yamuna Canal System. It would engage extra irrigation of 31,646 hectares, which will take the recommended overall irrigation in command area after modernisation to 2,72,091 hectares.

The project will be completed during the fiscal year 2012-13 and Plan accounts would be closed by the March 31, 2013.

The project authority has been directed to take the nod of the Command Area Development Plan from the Planning Commission. The Haryana Government has been informed that works needs to be executed concurrently with the project implementation to make sure that participation of the stakeholder farmers starting from the stage of project planning via the implementation to maintenance.

The Planning Commission has stated that it would be monitoring the implementation of CAD works.