The Uttarakhand government on Saturday demanded ₹579 crore from the Centre for irrigation projects taken up in the state under the central government-sponsored schemes.
The demand for the fund was raised by the state irrigation minister Satpal Maharaj at a meeting with the Union minister of state for irrigation Arjun Ram Meghwal on Saturday.
Maharaj told Meghwal that irrigation projects, including cleaning of canals and constructing flood protection walls are growing needs of the state apart from creating new irrigation channels in the hill areas.
Maharaj also requested the Union minister for an early commencement of the proposed Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project along the Indo-Nepal border on the River Kali to be constructed by the National Hydro Power Corporation and help in expediting the Jamrani power project on the Gaola River in Nainital district with the support of the Uttar Pradesh government.
“The Union minister responded positively on demand for irrigation fund and assured to expedite the Pancheshwar and Jamrani power projects soon, Satpal Maharaj said.
“We hope that construction of the Pancheshwar multipurpose power project will start in February 2018. The Union minister of state for irrigation, however, will first visit the proposed Pancheshwar dam sites to take stock of the situation and pace of rehabilitation of affection people.”