Lok Sabha Question No. 5472 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-06
Subject: Modernisation of Canals
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †5472 ANSWERED ON 06.04.2017

## MODERNISATION OF CANALS

## †5472.            SHRI SUSHIL KUMAR SINGH

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Government has reviewed the work of modernization of Sone canal and the irrigation facilities made available to the farmers through it and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the funds allocated and spent for its modernization during the last three years and the current year;

(c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  provide  wayside  basic  amenities  along  the  canal  including repairing, modernization and widening of roads over it and if so, the details thereof;

(d)  whether any projects have been sanctioned/approved for the purpose in Bihar during the last three years and if so, the details thereof along with the funds allocated/released/utilised during the said period; and

(e) the further steps taken/to be taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR WATER RESOURCES, RIVERDEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION (SHRI SANJEEV KUMAR BALYAN)

(a)  &  (b) Sone  Canal  Modernisation  Project  was  included  under  AIBP  in  1998-99  and  was  declared complete in 2009-10. Central Assistance of Rs. 168.45 crore was provided for this Project.  An Irrigation Potential  of  8.68  lakh  ha.    has  been  created  through  this  Project  and  Utilization  of  5.17  lakh  ha  of potential has been reported.CWC team  visited the  Sone Modernization Project site on 19 th & 20 th May 2016 to take stock of the current situation of Irrigation Potential Created (IPC) and Irrigation Potential Utilised  (IPU).    After  visit  CWC  has  made  certain  recommendations  in  this  regard  which  are  at Annexure .

(c) The works related to basic amenities along the canal including repairing, modernisation and widening of roads over it comes under the purview of concerned State Government.

(d) & (e) Two ongoing AIBP Projects of Bihar namely Durgawati and Punpun Barrage project have been prioritized for completion by December, 2019.   During 2015-16, CA of Rs.38.75 crore and Rs.2.76 crore was released  for  these  projects  respectively.    The  proposal  for  release  of  Central  Assistance  (CA)  for Punpun  Barrage  Project  has  not  been  received  during  2016-17.    Further,  State  Government  has  not submitted Utilization Certificate (UC) for the past CA released for Durgawati Project.  Further releases to these  projects  are  dependent  upon  fulfilment  of  conditions  as  per  AIBP  guidelines  and  submission  of Utilization Certificates (UCs) for past releases.

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## Annexure

## Annexure as referred to in reply to Part (a & b) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 5472 for reply on 6-4-2017 regarding modernization of canals.

1. The obstacle to flow of water by bushes, trees, slit and debris along the canal network needs to be cleared at regular interval to enable water flow in canals and distributaries.
2. Damaged canal cross section in main canal, and damaged FICs need to be replaced and rectified to reduce the loss of water due to seepage.
3. More WUAs should be formed and made functional.  Farmers should be encouraged to maintain  the  on  Farm  Development  works  in  the  command  area  and  should  be encouraged to have feel of ownership.
4. To utilize  the  Irrigation  Potential  Created  from  Sone  Modernization  Project  and  bridge the gap between IPC and IPU, adequate financial support is required on regular basis so that proper maintenance of the system is ensured.
5. The completion of following works required to bridge the gap to the tune of 112050 ha:-
- i) Western Parallel Link Channel.
7. ii) Western Link Canal (10.09 KM length).
8. iii) Lining work of Arrah main Canal and its distributaries.
9. iv) Malai Barrage on Kaw river.
- v) Pump house on Ganga River.
11. vi) Chausa Branch Canal from 0.00 Km to 12.4 Km.