Govt to speed up irrigation projects in Indus basin

Four irrigation projects on the Indus river basin in Jammu and Kashmir are among the 99 projects that are being fast-tracked by the government under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY).

The projects in J&K are being given `117 crore for completion and will help increase the irrigation area in the state by approximately two lakh acres.

This comes in the backdrop of a recent meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to review the Indus Waters pact with Pakistan, following the attack on the Uri army base on September 18.

It was decided at the meeting that India will explore all options to use as much water as it can within the limitations of the 56-year-old pact with Pakistan over rivers flowing into the neighbouring country.

Last week, Union water resources minister Uma Bharti announced the release of the first installment of `1,500 crore to states as central assistance for 99 irrigation projects through the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

The four projects — Tral lift in Pulwama, Prakachik Khows Canal in Kargil, restoration and modernisation of main Ravi canal in Jammu, Samba and Kathua and Rajpora lift in Pulwama — will get `117 crore.