The Project Advisory Committee (PAC) of the Central Water Commission (CWC) has approved the revised cost estimates of four multi-purpose projects in Orissa.
These projects are Kanpur Irrigation Project, Upper Indravati Extension Project, Lower Indra Irrigation Project and Subernarekha Irrigation Project.
The revised cost estimates were approved in the 98th meeting of the Advisory Committee for consideration of techno-economic viability of irrigation, flood control and multi-purpose proposals held in New Delhi recently.
Sources said, Kanpur Irrigation Project was accorded investment clearance by the Planning Commission in September 2002 at an estimated investment of Rs 428.32 crore.
The project will irrigate 47,709 hecatres annually and envisage construction of 3460 metre long earthern dam across river Baitarani. The cost has been revised to Rs 1067.51 crore without any change in the scope of the project work. The project has increased significantly mainly due to the revised rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) policy, 2006 framed by the Orissa government. Similarly, the PAC has also approved the revised cost estimates of Upper Indrabati Extension Project. It is a continuation of the old Indravati project located in KBK region of the state and has the potential of irrigating 41,794 hectares every year. Sources said, the original extension proposal was approved by the Planning Commission in March 2003 envisaging an investment of Rs 137.67 crore. However, the revised cost of the project was finalised at 564.77 crore after obtaining the concurrence of the state government, sources added.
The revised cost of the Lower Indra Irrigation Project at Rs 1182.23 crore, up from Rs 521.13 crore, was approved by the Planning Commission in January 2009. The initial cost of the project was estimated at Rs 211.7 crore in 1999 when it was first cleared by the Planning Commission. It is expected to irrigate about 38,870 hectares annually.
The PAC also approved the revised cost estimate of Subernarekha Irrigation Project, which is an inter-state project between Orissa, Jharkhand and West Bengal. The original project was accorded investment clearance by the Planning Commission in December 1995 with an investment of Rs 790.32 crore for the work components in Orissa only. The irrigation project is expected to irrigate 1.87 lakh hectares in the state annually. The present revised cost was finalised at Rs 4049.93 crore including the share cost of Rs 817.52 crore to be borne by Orissa for works to be taken up in Jharkhand.