BHUBANESWAR: The State Government, which is eyeing increased irrigation coverage in the next few years, is planning to invest close to Rs 2,000 crore for its proposed mega lift irrigation scheme. The Government envisages covering a command area of about a lakh hectare through the scheme. The scheme will be carried out mainly on turn-key system in the next three years by utilising available surplus water in different river basins. As per the outline of the scheme, the Government proposes to cover 500 to 2,000 hectare of cultivable land under assured irrigation under individual lift schemes. The scheme will be implemented in rainfed uplands close to the river on either side. Official sources said the Government was busy identifying clusters where the mega lifts could be installed through systems at a cost ranging from ` 100 to 300 crore for each cluster. The Government plans to complete about 100 such schemes in the next three years with an estimated cost of ` 2,000 crore. The scheme will include distribution systems either through underground pipeline or through open channel flow or a combination of the two through construction of intake structures, establishment of pump houses, pumping equipment and electrical systems. The State Government has targeted creation of an irrigation potential for two lakh hectare in rain-fed areas close to river course and water reservoirs. The mega scheme is part of the programme to provide irrigation facility to blocks having less than 35 per cent irrigation coverage. According to latest estimates, Orissa has cultivable land of 61.65 lakh hectare although irrigation potential has been created for just about 29.31 lakh hectare. In last half a decade, the Government has been able to create irrigation potential for 2.11 lakh hectare.
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