New Initiatives for Development of Minor Irrigation Facilities

New Tubewells

Minor irrigation Department has formulated a five year plan for comprehensive development of Minor Irrigation facilities in the State.   For this an allocation of Rs.558.33 Crores has been earmarked for the Schemes to be built on the recommendation of the beneficiaries and public representatives. When completed these Schemes are expected to provide irrigation on an additional 2.44 lakhs hectares of land. Under this programme ,a proposal for sinking 982 new state tubewell has been mooted during 2000-2001 at a cost of Rs. 197.97 Crores. This is being proposed to be funded by NBARD under IRDF. When completed, this Scheme is expected to provide assured irrigation to 7856 hectares of land. The estimated cost of an state tubewells with under ground PVC pipe line as irrigation channel has been calculated at Rs. 20.16 lakhs. This cost comes down to Rs. 15.61 lakhs, if as irrigation channel "open C\channel" is provided instead of underground PVC pipe line. In this Scheme there is proposal of installation of diesel generating sets as well with electrification of the tubewells. This provision will ensure facility of assured irrigation to farmers. Once completed, theses Schemes are scheduled to be handed over to the beneficiary committees for operation and maintenance. Revenue collection,against irrigation provided is also to be entrusted to beneficiary committees. Ninety percent of the revenue collected is proposed to be utilised for operation and maintenance of the tubewells while the rest of the revenue collection is to be deposited in the Government Treasury.

Dieselisation of State Tubewells

A proposal of dieselisation of 873 state tubewells afflicted with heavy electrical faults at a estimated cost of Rs. 3666.60 lakhs has been prepared by MI Department. for IRDF phase V. Until now sanction of dieselisation of 100 state tubewells has been received from NABARD. Restoration of the civil works of the said tubewells is proposed to be taken up in 2000-2001 under State share. NABARD. has assured sanction for the remaining tubewells , once the works on the 100 well are completed.

New Surface Irrigation Schemes

Different Divisions of the Minor Irrigation Department have prepared Project Reports for construction of 69 new surface irrigation schemes after comprehensive surveying. The estimated cost of the said schemes is calculated at Rs. 64.05 Crores. These schemes are projected to create an additional irrigation potential of 14,213 hectares after completion.

Shallow Tubewells : Bamboo Boring : Pump Sets

On the basis of availability of vast reservoir of ground water in the State, MI Department has prepared an ambitious programme of sinking of 6.44 lakhs shallow tube wells, 2.80 lakhs bamboo borings, and distribution of 1.85 lakhs pump sets in the coming five years. Once completed it is estimated to provide an assured minimum facility to 15.69 lakhs hectares of land.

However, on the advice of Planning Commission, Govt. of Bihar, Minor Irrigation Department has prepared a Million Tubewell Scheme costing Rs. 2886.41 Crore to be completed in the next five years. On completion of the project a total of 20.52 lakhs Ha. additional irrigation potential would be created. The project is under process of sanction