Bolangir: The state government has decided to set up a new underground pipeline irrigation facility for the much anticipated Lower Suktel Dam Project.
“The original plan of open canal system which was earlier proposed by the government has been changed since as per old design only 30,000 hectares of land will get the benefit of irrigation facility. However, with the new method, additional 15,000 to 20,000 hectares land will get irrigated,” Water Resources department secretary Pradeep Jena informed OTV.
According to the proposed design, irrigation water from the dam will be supplied through underground pipe system spreading across four blocks of Bolangir and Sonepur districts.
“People can easily carry out their farming without any interference from the irrigation system as the government has decided to lay the pipelines four feet below the ground. Besides, there would be no need for land acquisition and sustainable usage of water can be ensured,” Chief Engineer of Lower Suktel project, Bolarasen Bhoi said.
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The construction of the entire project including earthen dam over river Suktel is likely to be completed by 2021-2022. Laying of pipelines will be completed within next three years, Jena said, adding that the feasibility of the plan has been inspected and very soon tender process as per EPC basis will be called.
Sanctioned under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) in 1996 at the cost of Rs 217.16 crore, the Suktel dam aims to provide irrigation benefits to four blocks of Bolangir and Sonepur districts. For the purpose of irrigation, the government has proposed to construct an earthen dam of nearly 30 meters across Suktel river which is a tributary of the Tel river.
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