BERHAMPUR: V K Pandian, 5T secretary-cum-secretary to the chief minister, on Wednesday directed officials to begin construction of the multipurpose irrigation project at Chheligada in R Udayagiri block of Gajapati district.
When completed, the Rs 936-crore project will irrigate 6,260 hectares of land in Gajapati and Ganjam districts. Besides, it will provide drinking water to Berhampur and generate 36 KW of hydroelectric power. The project, whose tender has been floated, has been aimed to be completed in 2025.
Pandian on Wednesday reviewed the progress of work of the tunnel through which water from the Ghodahad river will be sent to the fields.
“Work on the 1.2-km long and 3-m wide tunnel is almost completed. The tunnel work was started about 15 months back by cutting off a hill. Engineers plan to release water from the river through the tunnel in September,” said Nagendra Nath Moharana, additional chief engineer of the project.
Pandian met some people who will be displaced due to the project. As many as 501 families of five villages will be displaced, while another 10 villages will be submerged partially. They will be rehabilitated to seven colonies in Ganjam and Gajapati districts.
He has also visited Gumma haat and two major water bodies near Paralakhemundi, before attending a public grievance session. Around Rs 10 crore and Rs 15 crore will be spent on renovation and beautification of Rama Sagar and Krushna Sagar respectively, for which he asked officers concerned to prepare detailed project reports.
He said the chief minister has sanctioned Rs 1.50 crore for completion of the town hall and Rs 5 crore for construction of Sanskruti Bhawan in Paralakhemundi. He directed to start the process for construction of a bypass road in Paralakhemundi, a long-standing demand of locals.
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