CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Government will forward to the Centre its irrigation projects involving an investment of Rs.1,217 crores under the Bharat Nirman Programme, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said here on Thursday. He was presiding over a meeting to review the functioning of the Irrigation Department.

The meeting also fixed the monthly work schedule for completion of 109-km-long BML-Hansi Branch multi-purpose link channel by December 2006.

Mr Hooda directed that all projects should be completed within the stipulated period. He said the Centre would be urged to take up constructions of upstream storages on the Yamuna under the Bharat Nirman Programme as it would ensure assured irrigation of eight lakh hectares in addition to drinking water supply in the National Capital Region.

The Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary Irrigation, Anil Razdan, pointed out that during the current kharif crop, 20 per cent extra water had been made available in canals throughout the State and its availability during ensuing rabi crop would be good as all storages on Sutlej, Beas and Ravi were full. All canals would be cleared of silt and weed in the third quarter for ensuring supply up to tails.

He said six projects were finalised to utilise additional 2.38 lakh hectares of irrigation potential under Bharat Nirman Programme and Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme. These included Rs. 267-crore Dadupur Shahbad Nalvi Scheme aimed at increasing irrigation potential in 46,560 hectares and completion of JLN Lift Irrigation Project including construction of BML-Hansi Branch-Butana Branch link to make all lift canal projects perennial by diverting existing use of Ravi-Beas water to lift commands.

Mr. Razdan stated that Rs. 75 crores would be spent to increase capacity of existing canal system for utilising Yamuna water during monsoon to benefit 14,900 hectares.

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