June 10, 2012 admin

Water management ushers in an era of prosperity in Himachal

        
 Shimla,June 10, 2012:The State Government is striving not only to ensure regular supply of drinking water to the people of the State but also endeavours are directed towards bringing more and more area under irrigation. After having provided water to all census villages in the State, the Government has been focusing on providing supply of drinking water to left out habitations.
During last four years, 20,214 habitations have been covered under drinking water supply scheme. 2557 additional habitations were providing drinking water facility during last financial year. The remaining 11,787 habitations will be covered in phased manner. Water Management Board has been constituted for ensuring proper use and management of water resources in the State. Awareness camps are being organized at Panchayat level to ensure Rural Drinking Water Management.
For ensuring the sustainability of these schemes, attention is being paid to rain water harvesting, construction of check dams. Plan has been prepared for constructing a water harvesting tank free in very house of the State within next three years.
The State Government has accorded priority for setting up of hand pumps in areas facing water scarcity. A total of 26,132 hand pumps have been installed in the State out of which 11,047 have been installed during last four years. Out of 56 towns in the State, sewerage schemes have been implemented in Shri Naina Devi, Palampur, Chamba, Mandi, Bilaspur, Rohru, Jwalamukhi, Ghumarwin, Shimla, Manali, Arki, Jogindernagar,  Rampur, Jubbal, Kullu and Dharamshala and the work is in progress in 24 towns.
During last four years, a total of 28,585 hectare area has been covered under large, medium and small irrigation schemes. The biggest achievement of the State Government during this period had been completion of Rs. 68.33 crore rural drinking water supply augmentation scheme in Changer areas of Kangra district covering Dehra, Khundian, Jaisinghpur, Palampur tehsils. This would benefit a population of 1,31,293 of 564 habitations. This is the biggest scheme which had been completed in a record time of three years.
Due to the persistent efforts of the State Government, shelf of 191 small irrigation schemes, which entails an expenditure of Rs. 188.63 crore and would cover an area of 26,652 hectare has been got approved from Government of India.
The work on Rs. 104 crore ‘Balh Valley Medium Irrigation Project’ has been expedited and Rs. 205 crore ‘Phina Singh Medium Irrigation Project’ had also been started which would provide irrigation facilities in 4025 hectare area.
The State Government has accorded approval to three ambitious drinking water supply schemes. These schemes entail an expenditure of Rs 172.22 crore and will provide drinking water to about 1171 habitations. This includes Rs. 68.33 crore water supply scheme augmentation in NC/PC habitations of Changer area, Rs. 39.23 crore drinking water supply scheme in Paragpur and Jaswan area and Rs. 64.66 crore drinking water scheme in Sadar, Ghumarwin and Jhandutta Block of district Bilaspur.
A new chapter has been added in the development history of changer area of Bilaspur district when the much awaited Rs 88.09 crore Changer Area medium irrigation scheme was dedicated to the people of the area. This scheme would provide irrigation facility to 2350 hectare area.
Likewise, work on Rs 385 crore Shah Nehar Project has been expedited. The area to be covered under the project is 15287 hectare.
Keeping in view the concerted efforts of the State Government, the day is not far when every household will be provided drinking water and every farm in the State is covered under irrigation.

Issued by:
Director,
Information & Public Relations,
Himachal Pradesh, Shimla-2
 

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