CM Naveen Patnaik Unveils Major Irrigation Boost with 59 Mega Lift Projects

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated 59 mega lift projects across 13 districts under the Parvati Giri Mega Lift Irrigation project on December 16, 2023 in Odisha. Launched in 2011, the Parvati Giri project has seen the completion of 208 projects, irrigating 2,64,330 hectares of agricultural land. Another 170 projects in the second phase aim to provide irrigation to 1,13,540 hectares of land, benefitting around 80,000 hectares of arid land with a total investment of Rs 2.05 crores.

As a part of this initiative, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for 33 additional mega lift projects, which, upon completion, will irrigate 50,000 hectares of land across 9 districts.

In a virtual gathering, Chief Minister Patnaik shared his contentment with the positive outcomes of government initiatives for farmers. He disclosed his daily interactions with farmers to address their issues, highlighting the threefold increase in the state's agriculture budget over the past 5 years, now standing at Rs 25,000 crore. Notable schemes like KALIA Yojana, crop insurance coverage amounting to Rs 600 crore, and the provision of interest-free loans up to Rs. 1 lakh have demonstrated tangible benefits for the farming community.

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Highlighting the state's irrigation development, Patnaik stated that initiatives under the 5T (Transparency, Teamwork, Technology, Time, Transformation) framework have expedited projects like Upper Indravati, Lower Indravati, Deo, Subarnarekha, Gangadhar Meher, and Lower Suktel. He unveiled intentions for implementing 20 in-stream storage structure projects, designed to augment river water availability, ultimately fortifying the state's agricultural sector and augmenting the income of farmers.

During the event, Chief Minister Patnaik inaugurated the e-megalift App developed by OCAC (Odisha Computer Application Centre). State Water Resources Minister Tukuni Sahu attended the program, hailing it as a memorable day for the water resources department and the state.

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The event also saw the presence of Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, senior officials from the Water Resources department, district Collectors, and farmers.

Anu Garg, the Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department presented the welcome address, while the Engineer-in-Chief of the Water Resources Department expressed gratitude in the closing remarks.

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