The Planning Commission on Thursday cleared the investment proposal for modernisation of Haryana’s irrigation network. The project, estimated to cost Rs 115.94 crore (2011 price level), will undertake rehabilitation, renovation and modernisation of critically damaged channels of the State’s irrigation network, a Plan panel release said.
According to the project proposal, 36 critically damaged channels belong to 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 involve additional irrigation of 31,646 hectares, taking the proposed total irrigation in command area after modernisation to 2,72,091 hectares.
The project is to be completed in 2012-13 and Plan accounts would be closed by March 31, 2013. “The State Finance Department would restrict the expenditure to the approved cost and no additional expenditure beyond approved cost may be permitted unless the revised estimate is approved following the prescribed procedure, the Plan panel said.
The project authority has been asked to seek the approval of the Command Area Development Plan from the Planning Commission. Under this, the Haryana Government has been told that works should be executed concurrently with the project implementation to ensure that participation of the stakeholder farmers right from the stage of project planning through implementation to maintenance.
The Planning Commission said it would monitor the implementation of CAD works.