Tanmay Mondal
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014
The Water Resources Investigation and Development Department manages 7999 irrigation projects across the state, involving 6.39 lakh hectares. In the tenure of the present government, 4000 minor irrigation projects have been completed and handed over to water users' committees of farmers.
The department has undergone a huge change in terms of the work culture as well as implementation of projects.
Reserve Water Preserve Water
With the cooperation of the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, 1,01,886 water preservation projects under the Reserve Water Preserve Water scheme have been created during the last two-and-a-half years, when the original target for five years was 50,000.
Extension of minor irrigation system
During the last two-and-a-half years, 65,000 hectares of irrigated land has been developed through the implementation of different minor irrigation schemes like setting up deep and shallow tube wells, digging of ponds, building jor bandhs, lifting of river water, etc. Apart from this, 12,480 hectares have been irrigated through field canal and water management projects.
WBADMIP with the financial assistance of the World Bank
• An additional irrigation potential of 1.39 lakh hectares would be created through the implementation of the West Bengal Accelerated Development of Minor Irrigation Project (WBADMIP), involving Rs 1380 crore, being financed by the World Bank.
• Meanwhile, 17 minor irrigation schemes covering 1224 hectares have been implemented. Another 133 projects are being implemented speedily.
Preservation of rain water and water investigation
• With a view to utilise the limited water resources to their full potential, the department has taken an initiative to preserve rainwater as an alternative. In this regard, 29 rainwater preservation and artificial groundwater refilling projects have been completed, and work for 23 more is going on in different districts.
• The Central Chemical and Hydrological Laboratory at Sech Bhavan, Salt Lake, has been modernised and developed to efficiently test the quality and chemical properties of water.
Revolution in irrigation in the region of Jangalmahal
• Long-neglected areas of Jangalmahal have started witnessing a revolution in irrigation. Till now, 196 minor irrigation projects have been completed, bringing 6187 hectares of land under the fold of irrigation.
• The process of distributing 1439 water-saving sprinkler-kits amongst the farmers has begun with the aim of starting a scientific minor irrigation project.
Reforming the Water Resources Investigation and Development Department
• West Bengal Ground Water Resources Act, 2005 has been amended to allow installation of pump-driven tube wells of 5 horsepower or less without the permits.
• In the present government’s tenure, in 2011, procedures and rules for the management of minor irrigation projects have been put in place.
• An effort has been started to provide irrigation facilities, through the dual usage of surface water and groundwater, to paddy farmers during the rabi and summer seasons.
• In different districts, solar power-driven pumping systems have been installed for using in minor irrigation projects.
• Besides these, the 5th minor irrigation census is going to be started soon.
Spreading awareness and empowering farmers
• Awareness programmes on water conservation have been taken up through newspapers, hoardings, bicycle rallies, documentaries and fairs in Kolkata as well as the districts.
• Till now, 390 agriculture and horticulture exhibitions and 118 training camps have been organised, and 548 water users' committees of farmers have been constituted.
