Question : TEESTA BARRAGE

(a) the estimated cost, the present status and funds released by the Union Government and spent by the State Government of West Bengal alongwith its share in completion of Teesta Barrage during each of the last three years;

(b) the amount likely to be spent on this project during next two years;

(c) whether the Union Government propose to provide additional assistance under the Centrally Sponsored Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme for early completion of the project;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the time by which the project is likely to be completed ?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES

(SMT. BIJOYA CHAKRAVARTY)

(a) to (e) At present, first sub-stage of stage-I of Phase-I of Teesta Barrage Project with the latest estimated cost of Rs.1177 crore is under construction. An expenditure of Rs.781.78 crore has been made on the project upto March, 1999, of which Rs.77.85 crore, Rs.64.67 crore and Rs.44.00 crore were spent during 1996-97, 1997-98 and 1998-99 respectively. The Central Loan Assistance under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) amounting to Rs.5 crore during 1996-97, Rs.15 crore during 1997-98, Rs.10 crore during 1998-99 and Rs.9.5 crore during 1999-2000 has been provided to this project by the Union Government. The assistance under AIBP is linked with the budget provision and the expenditure made by the State Government on the project. The amount likely to be spent during the next two years and time for completion of the project will depend upon the priority attached to it by the State Government.