Question : TIME AND COST OVERRUNS OF IRRIGATION PROJECTS

(a) whether a large number of irrigation projects funded under Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) are running behind the schedule/have not yet been implemented:

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor including the time and estimated cost overruns of each of these projects, project-wise and State-wise;

(c) whether the task force set up by the Planning Commission has submitted a report in this regard which inter-alia examined the rehabilitation work of the displaced persons;

(d) if so, the salient features of the report; and

(e) the corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government for timely completion of these projects?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES (SHRI VINCENT H. PALA)

(a) So far, 281 major/medium projects have been funded under the AIBP of which, 110 projects are completed and further 15 projects are reported to have been completed by the State Governments during 2009-10. The ]details of ongoing projects which have been delayed indicating year of inclusion of the project under the AIBP, their present status and number of years by which the project has been delayed are given in Annex-I

(b) In general, irrigation projects get delayed due to land acquisition problems, contractual problems, resettlement and rehabilitation problems, technical problems, geological surprises during project execution, litigation, law and order problems i.e., naxalite problems etc, specific problems of North Eastern States such as short working season, law and order problems, specific problems of hilly states such as short working season, site location and its condition etc. The details of time overrun and estimated costs are also given in Annex-I.

(c) & (d) Task Force set up at Planning Commission did not examine the rehabilitation works of displaced persons.

(e) The Ministry of Water Resources consistently monitors performance of irrigation projects through Central Water Commission. The bottlenecks in project implementation are pointed out in the monitoring report and remedial measures are also suggested for implementation by the state government. Secretary (WR) and other senior officers of the Ministry also take review meeting with the Senior Officers of the state government from time to time. These measures are found to be quite encouraging.