Question : Irrigation Projects in Odisha

(a) whether the Union Government has received any proposal from the Government of Odisha for major and minor irrigation projects in Rayagada and Koraput districts of Koraput parliamentary constiunicy which have huge potential for providing irrigation facility to the farmers;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, whether any proposal to initiate medium and small irrigation projects is in pipeline for mitigating drought situation in the aforesaid area of low rainfall which can be constructed without any displacement; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

(SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU)

(a) & (b) Water resources projects are planned, funded, executed, and maintained by the State Governments themselves as per their own resources and priorities. Role of Government of India is limited to providing technical support and, in some cases, partial financial assistance under the existing schemes implemented by the Ministry of Jal Shakti. However, for major and medium inter-state irrigation projects, appraisal is being undertaken by Central Water Commission (CWC) under this Ministry.

In the recent past, Government of Odisha forwarded detailed project reports (DPRs) of three projects benefitting Rayagada and Koraput districts, to CWC for techno-economic appraisal. One of the proposed projects, namely Middle Kolab multipurpose project, envisages irrigation to 24,543 hectare in Koraput district. However, appraisal of the other two projects, namely Lower Vansadhara Stage-1 and Upper Vansadhara irrigation projects jointly targeting irrigation of 31,783 in Rayagada district, could not be taken up by CWC on account of constitution of Vansadhara Water Dispute Tribunal (VWDT) in 2010. As per laid down norms, appraisal of these two projects can be taken up only once the award of VWDT is notified, unless the co-basin States reach an agreement for the above projects.

As far as minor irrigation projects are concerned, the State Governments are themselves mandated to plan, undertake techno-economic appraisal, and implement such projects. The role of Government of India is limited to providing partial financial assistance under the ongoing schemes. No such proposals for funding of minor irrigation projects benefitting the above districts of Odisha are presently under consideration of Government of India.
(c) & (d) Government of Odisha has informed that implementation of Lower Nagavali medium irrigation project targeting irrigation to 8,500 hectare in Rayagada district, is planned in the near future.
****