Steel pipes to replace canals for irrigation

New Delhi, December 15

The Centre will promote the use of steel pipes for irrigation instead of canals, in a move aimed at cutting down land acquisition costs and promoting innovation, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has said.

Gadkari, who holds the portfolios of Road Transport, Highways, Shipping, Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation, was yesterday addressing a Moroccan delegation led by its Minister for Equipment, Transport, Logistics and Water Abdelkader Amara. Strengthening ties with the African nation is a priority for India, he also said.

“In one part of India, we have lots of water and the other faces shortage. Water conservation is important here and we are encouraging innovations and technologies. Now, we have taken a decision that in place of the canal system, we will use steel pipes in supplying water for irrigation. We are saving the cost of land acquisition,” Gadkari said.

Land acquisition, he explained, has become a costly proposition here and using steel pipes will lead to not only sufficient savings but more than doubling of the output.

“We are accepting lots of technologies in the Water Resources Ministry. We are encouraging drip irrigation. We are now planning for river connectivity. We will take water where we need it,” Gadkari said. — PTI