After a long wait of 23 years, the much-awaited Lower Suktel irrigation project was finally inaugurated by the Odisha government on Wednesday. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik dedicated the project which is expected to be a lifeline for Bolangir district.
Sources said around 80,000 farmers and 70000 people will get drinking water facilities from the mega project. The foundation stone for the lower Suktel project was laid way back in 2001 by CM Naveen Patnaik. The initial estimated cost of the project was Rs 217 and it subsequently escalated to Rs over Rs 3,000 crore.
“My visit in New Year started from Bolangir district. On this occasion, I am happy to inaugurate the Lower Suktel Irrigation project. This will resolve the water-related problems of the people. The project will bring massive change in the agricultural sector,” said Patnaik.
The Lower Suktel Project will irrigate around 1 lakh hectares of agricultural land. Around 200 villages in Bolangir and Sonepur districts will be benefited from the project, said Patnaik.
“Farmers are the chariots of the state’s economy and the state government is taking them towards development. Lower Suktel Project will bring a new chapter in the development of Bolangir. Under the 5T initiative, a lot of irrigation projects have been speeded up and we are now able to provide 3.64 lakh acres more area. People of 29 villages have contributed and sacrificed a lot for the project,” said Patnaik.