PROJECTS LAUNCHED TO ENSURE WATER FOR IRRIGATION IN BUNDELKHAND

The state plans to build 10,000 farm ponds at cost of Rs 100 crore for optimal use of water in the region

Bundelkhand will no longer be thirsty, thanks to the Uttar Pradesh Government’s ongoing efforts to save water and also ensure its better management in the region. The Yogi Government is trying diligently to ensure optimal use of every drop of water in the region through various projects, including sprinkler irrigation and Khet Talab Yojana. It is worth mentioning here that the Yogi Government plans to build 10,000 farm ponds at the cost of Rs 100 crore in the current financial year (2021-22) while it has already dug out 4,400 farm ponds at a cost of Rs 49.56 crore so far as part of the ‘Other Intervention’ component of its 'Per Drop More Crop' scheme. Most of these ponds have been constructed in Bundelkhand and Vindhya regions. Along with geo-tagging of these ponds, 50 per cent subsidy is payable to the farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). Water saved in these ponds during the rainy season will be used for irrigation purpose and as drinking water for the cattle in the rest of the seasons.

In this context, the Yogi Government is working on three sprinkler projects, including Masgaon Chilli (Hamirpur), Kulpahar (Mahoba) and Shahzad (Lalitpur) projects, as a model to irrigate more area with less water. The projects are likely to be completed this year. There is also a plan to connect other irrigation projects with sprinklers later. Arjun Sahayak Canal Project, which is going to be completed this year, will not only facilitate irrigation of 44,381 hectares of land in Banda, Hamirpur and Mahoba, but also make drinking water available to people. According to an estimate, around 20 million cubic meters of drinking water will be available to the people of Mahoba.