Bolangir: Ahead of Assembly and Lok Sabha polls, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today dedicated the much-awaited Lower Suktel Irrigation project here.
The mega irrigation project for which foundation stone was laid by the Chief Minister in 2001, has been constructed with a cost of Rs 2723 crore.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the irrigation project, ninth highest dam project in the State, would provide irrigation facilities to one lakh acre ayacut area in 203 villages of Balangir and Subarnapur benefiting 80,000 farmers.
The project would also provide drinking water facilities for 70,000 populations of two local urban bodies of Balangir, he said.
Patnaik said there would be no displacement for irrigation as water would be supplied through pressurised underground pipe.
The Chief Minister also inaugurated 69 other projects worth Rs 305 crore, laid foundation stone for 112 projects worth Rs 220 crore and launched projects worth Rs 2525 crore.
The Lower Suktel project would solve the problems of the farmers of Bolangir bringing transformation in the agriculture and irrigation sectors and usher a new era of development in Bolangir district, the CM said.
The State Government had launched several schemes including KALIA, interest free loan, free crop insurance for the benefit of the farmers who are the charioteer of the economy. Remembering the sacrifice of displaced people, Patnaik said.
Paying respect to them for their sacrifice, Naveen said their sacrifice for the development of Bolangir would be remembered for all times to come.
Highlighting the development of Bolangir, the Chief Minister said Bolangir nowadays is making significant progress in education, health and infrastructure development and would create a special identity in the development of the State.
Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra said the work of the Lower Suktel project has not been completed yet even after 22 years. The Chief Minister is inaugurating an incomplete project, he alleged.
Reacting to the statement of the CLP leader, Water Resources Minister Tukuni Sahu said the dam project was inaugurated today while the related irrigation canals and water supply through pipes will be done in coming days.
