Under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, the 33rd meeting of the Chhattisgarh Irrigation Project Board—and the first under the current government—was held today at Mahanadi Bhawan. The meeting focused on increasing the state’s irrigation capacity, improving groundwater levels, and strengthening drinking water supply in urban areas. During the session, 14 new projects received in-principle approval for various regions across the state.
Chief Minister Sai said that increasing farmers’ income and enhancing agricultural production remain the top priorities of the government. To achieve this, the irrigation network is being continuously expanded. He stated that expanding irrigated land will not only benefit farmers but will also help improve groundwater levels and ensure better drinking water availability.
Extensive discussions were held regarding the expansion of irrigation facilities from Surguja and Bastar to the plains. The Chief Minister reviewed the blueprint, cost, and benefits of all proposed projects and assured that their implementation would be accelerated to ensure balanced development across the state.
1 Lakh Hectares of Additional Irrigation Capacity
The approved projects are expected to add approximately 1 lakh hectares of new irrigation capacity in Chhattisgarh. The proposed works include:
- Deurgav Barrage-cum-Lift Irrigation Project in Bastar district
- Matnar Barrage-cum-Lift Irrigation Project in Bastar district
- Mohmela Sirpur Barrage Scheme on the Mahanadi in Arang block, Raipur
- Ahiran to Gajarinala Water Conservation (Kharang–Ahiran Link Project)
- Chaparatola Feeder Reservoir Project in Kota block, Bilaspur
- Pipeline installation from Samoda Barrage to Kumhari Reservoir under the Kumhari Reservoir Capacity Enhancement Plan
- Sehgaon Lift Irrigation Scheme in Dhamdha block, Durg
- Lamti Feeder Reservoir and Canal Construction in Khairagarh–Chhuikhadan–Gandai district
- Water supply pipeline from Chauki Anicut to Mohara Anicut for drinking water in Rajnandgaon
- Bagia Barrage-cum-Pressurised Lift Irrigation Scheme on Maini River in Jashpur
- Parsahi Pressurised Lift Irrigation Project under the augmentation of the Hasdeo Bango Project in Janjgir–Champa
- Madwarani Barrage-cum-Lift Irrigation Scheme in Korba
- Pipeline link from Sikasar Reservoir to Kodar Reservoir under the Pairi Project in Gariaband
- Uplift feeder irrigation work through Paraghat Diversion Scheme for the left-bank canal of Kharang Reservoir in Bilaspur
Senior Officials Present
Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao, Agriculture Minister Ramvichar Netam, Finance Minister O.P. Choudhary, Chief Secretary Vikas Sheel, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Energy Secretary Rohit Yadav, Secretary to the Chief Minister Mukesh Kumar Bansal, Water Resources Secretary Rajesh Sukumar Toppo, Chief Engineer Indrajeet Uike, and several senior officials of the Water Resources Department attended the meeting.
