The Chapi Irrigation project is located in Kota block of Bilaspur district of Chhattisgarh state which has predominantly tribal population. The project work commenced in the year 1979. Since the project involved acquisition of forest land to the extent of 256.745 ha. and clearance from Ministry of Forest and Environment, the work on the project could not continue. In the year 2001, Ministry of Forest and Environment, Government of India, gave clearance for the project and the Water Resources Department, Chhattisgarh Government, revised the project and submitted it to NABARD under RIDF - VIII in the year 2002.
The project was sanctioned by NABARD on 25 March 2003 involving loan amount of Rs. 1123.27 lakh. The gross irrigated area proposed under the project was 2260 ha. (1855 ha. for Kharif and 405 ha. for Rabi). About 3015 farmers were proposed to be benefitted from the project. Immediately after the sanction of the project, the Water Resources Department finalised the technical sanctions, tendering process and fixed up the agencies.
As a part of routine monitoring, the project was visited on 17 September 2003 by Officers from Regional Office. At the time of visit, the tank was full with water and the waste weir was in operation. The Officers were impressed with the progress of implementation of the project as the major works such as flanks of bund, waste weir, spill channel, approach channel and nalla closure were fully completed. The main canal was completed to the extent of 6 k.ms. out of the proposed total length of 15.75 kms. The quality of the work done was found to be good. Pitching of the bund, chute falls in the spill channel and about 8.75 km. of main canal and minors were yet to be constructed. Considering the fast progress of the work, the study team reported that the implementation of the project is likely to be completed by June 2005.
The Visiting Team felt that the successful completion of the project ahead of planned programme and providing irrigation to 1200 ha. is an example. The Sub Divisional Officer (SDO), Water Resources Development revealed that proper planning and co-ordinated efforts of the Department and NABARD's involvement with the project were the main reasons for the accelerated progress. The project has created 175 jobs and 1.12 lakh mandays of recurring employment to the villagers. |
