Centre’s nod to Rs 75 cr Phase-2 of Beet area irrigation scheme

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri today said that the Beet Area Phase-2 Irrigation Scheme — estimated at Rs 74.417 crore — was approved yesterday by the Union Ministry of Water Resources to irrigate cultivated land in 22 high-altitude villages of Haroli Assembly segment called the Beet area.

Addressing mediapersons here today, Agnihotri, who also holds charge of the Jal Shakti Department, said the Centre would provide 90 per cent financial assistance and the remaining 10 per cent would be borne by the state.

He said the project has been sanctioned under the Surface Minor Irrigation Scheme of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Scheme.

The Deputy CM informed that under the project, 12 collection tanks would be constructed to store water drawn from near the Swan river. He added that 1,874 hectares would brought under irrigation.

He said the first phase of the Beet Area Irrigation Scheme has already been completed at a cost of Rs 42 crore to provide irrigation facilities to nine villages of Haroli segment, adding that 1,122 hectares have been brought under irrigation.

Agnihotri said drinking water and irrigation facilities are being strengthened in Haroli and Rs 66 crore have been spent during the present Congress regime. He said impetus is being given to create water-recharge structures, adding that Rs 12 crore are being spent on constructing six groundwater recharge structures in Haroli segment.

The Congress leader said a sum of Rs 105 crore is being spent in Haroli segment to augment existing drinking water schemes or to construct new schemes. He added that Rs 130 crore are being spent on irrigation schemes in Haroli, adding that after the implementation of the first phase of the Beet Area Irrigation Scheme, farmers have begun cultivating vegetables and other cash crops, thereby strengthening the economy of the locals.

Agnihotri said work on the Loharli to Pandoga bridge over Swan river is progressing at a fast pace and work would be completed at a cost of Rs 52 crore, adding that this would considerably reduce the distance between Haroli and Gagret segments.

He said the bridge over Swan river in Ghaluwal village located on NH-503A was constructed 62 years ago and traffic has increased considerably since. He said a parallel bridge has been proposed and the matter is pending at the highest levels in the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for final approval.