Samprati Motghare
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014
Water, as a resource, is extremely important for West Bengal given the fact that net sown area comprises of about 61% of total geographical area of the state and despite the fact that close to 69% of agricultural land is covered through irrigation; there is a high dependence on monsoon. West Bengal falls in the flood prone zone and hence, it becomes imperative to manage the flow of water through the state in such a manner that it ensures the safety of the population of the state.
New strides in farm irrigation
More farms being irrigated: After a negligence of several decades, the western districts have now received irrigation facilities through canals to about 1,34,000 acres of land. Several projects across the state have been initiated to bring about 58,000 acres of land under irrigation in this financial year and close to 1,24,000 acres in the next financial year.
Water for Rabi season: This year, a total of about 8,95,000 acres of land is being irrigated through various small and medium sized irrigation projects throughout the state, making it highest quantum of irrigated land during Rabi season in the last 7 years. For the first time ever, almost 1,10,000 acres is being irrigated through Teesta Barrage Project in North Bengal.
Bringing water to drought-prone regions: To promote rain harvesting and make water available for irrigation in the drought-prone Purulia district, 14 check dams are being built even in the remote areas. 23 more such check-dams have been planned for next financial year.
Restoration of river banks and dams, to protect people from floods
New milestones: Last 30 months have seen an unprecedented work to prevent erosion, strengthen dams and reconstruction of damaged dams like the one in Sundarbans which got damaged due to Aila. The total area of completed work amounts to 518 km with work in progress in additional 100 km.
Advanced technology: Geo-synthetic filter and bag, and concrete blocks are being used to arrest erosion from river banks. Historic town of Tamluk has now been preserved by erosion and beautification measures along Rupnarayan river and Digha-Sankarpur coasts.
Encouraging results: Despite receiving heavy rainfall last year, the flood prone lower catchment areas of Keleghai and Kapaleshwari rivers witnessed quick recession of water.
Building roads and bridges: Connecting people
New bridges: In just 30 months, 30 concrete bridges have been completed and opened for people across the state. For the first time in the state, around 95 bridges are being constructed on various rivers and canals in remote rural locations. With a special focus on South Bengal, 43 new bridges have been approved for construction and work has already begun.
New roads and repair of bridges: In just three and a half months, 75 km of bituminous road has been constructed along the banks of Mahananda and Fulhar rivers in Malda. Also, new projects are going to be taken up from next financial year for replacing dilapidated bridges with concrete bridges.
Utilizing information technology for better efficiency
e-Governance initiatives: e-Tendering system has been commissioned and it is now mandatory for all existing major work or new projects involving a sum of Rs 5 lakh to follow this system only. Initiatives to implement such e-governance initiatives in district offices have also been taken in a phase wise manner. These initiatives will put a check on leakages of revenue.
Helpline for floods: For exchanging flood related information and communicate it to people in a more effective manner, a 24x7 helpline has been established having offices in Bidhannagar for South Bengal and Jalpaiguri for North Bengal.
Irrigation was overlooked for a long time in the past, but now many steps have been taken to optimize the use of this resource and also to ensure safety of people in case of any calamity due to floods. To reclaim rivers which were lost due to erosion, ducts measuring 330 km have been installed in the areas of South Bengal, pointing to the fact that there is ample scope of work that can be done in this field.
IIM graduate, Batch of 2014
Water, as a resource, is extremely important for West Bengal given the fact that net sown area comprises of about 61% of total geographical area of the state and despite the fact that close to 69% of agricultural land is covered through irrigation; there is a high dependence on monsoon. West Bengal falls in the flood prone zone and hence, it becomes imperative to manage the flow of water through the state in such a manner that it ensures the safety of the population of the state.
New strides in farm irrigation
More farms being irrigated: After a negligence of several decades, the western districts have now received irrigation facilities through canals to about 1,34,000 acres of land. Several projects across the state have been initiated to bring about 58,000 acres of land under irrigation in this financial year and close to 1,24,000 acres in the next financial year.
Water for Rabi season: This year, a total of about 8,95,000 acres of land is being irrigated through various small and medium sized irrigation projects throughout the state, making it highest quantum of irrigated land during Rabi season in the last 7 years. For the first time ever, almost 1,10,000 acres is being irrigated through Teesta Barrage Project in North Bengal.
Bringing water to drought-prone regions: To promote rain harvesting and make water available for irrigation in the drought-prone Purulia district, 14 check dams are being built even in the remote areas. 23 more such check-dams have been planned for next financial year.
Restoration of river banks and dams, to protect people from floods
New milestones: Last 30 months have seen an unprecedented work to prevent erosion, strengthen dams and reconstruction of damaged dams like the one in Sundarbans which got damaged due to Aila. The total area of completed work amounts to 518 km with work in progress in additional 100 km.
Advanced technology: Geo-synthetic filter and bag, and concrete blocks are being used to arrest erosion from river banks. Historic town of Tamluk has now been preserved by erosion and beautification measures along Rupnarayan river and Digha-Sankarpur coasts.
Encouraging results: Despite receiving heavy rainfall last year, the flood prone lower catchment areas of Keleghai and Kapaleshwari rivers witnessed quick recession of water.
Building roads and bridges: Connecting people
New bridges: In just 30 months, 30 concrete bridges have been completed and opened for people across the state. For the first time in the state, around 95 bridges are being constructed on various rivers and canals in remote rural locations. With a special focus on South Bengal, 43 new bridges have been approved for construction and work has already begun.
New roads and repair of bridges: In just three and a half months, 75 km of bituminous road has been constructed along the banks of Mahananda and Fulhar rivers in Malda. Also, new projects are going to be taken up from next financial year for replacing dilapidated bridges with concrete bridges.
Utilizing information technology for better efficiency
e-Governance initiatives: e-Tendering system has been commissioned and it is now mandatory for all existing major work or new projects involving a sum of Rs 5 lakh to follow this system only. Initiatives to implement such e-governance initiatives in district offices have also been taken in a phase wise manner. These initiatives will put a check on leakages of revenue.
Helpline for floods: For exchanging flood related information and communicate it to people in a more effective manner, a 24x7 helpline has been established having offices in Bidhannagar for South Bengal and Jalpaiguri for North Bengal.
Irrigation was overlooked for a long time in the past, but now many steps have been taken to optimize the use of this resource and also to ensure safety of people in case of any calamity due to floods. To reclaim rivers which were lost due to erosion, ducts measuring 330 km have been installed in the areas of South Bengal, pointing to the fact that there is ample scope of work that can be done in this field.
