"The Teesta Project is getting delayed. The target was to complete it in 2017. We are trying to finish it before that," Bandyopadhyay said.
He visited Gajaldoba and Mahananda barrages, parts of the project which is supposed to create 9.22 lakh ha. Of irrigation potential in six northern districts of West Bengal and 67.50 MW of hydropower from canal falls.
The minister said 47,200 ha land in Jalpaiguri district were irrigated this year while steps were taken to add 5000 ha the next year.
Teesta Project, which started in 1975-76, is one of the largest irrigation projects not only in West Bengal but also in the entire eastern region.