Narmada Jhabua Micro Lift Irrigation: Rs 2,387 Crore Project Launch

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav was scheduled to inaugurate the Rs 2,387.60 crore Narmada-Jhabua-Petlawad-Thandla-Sardarpur Micro Lift Irrigation Project at the sports complex in Sardarpur, Dhar district, on Saturday, 24 October. According to reports based on the state’s public relations department, the project lifts water from the Narmada and carries it through underground pipes to 57,422 hectares of farmland in 260 villages of Dhar and Jhabua districts.

Pressurised Water for 2.5-Hectare Blocks

Farmers will not depend on open canals. Underground pipes deliver water at a pressure of 20 metres to each 2.5-hectare block, which allows drip and sprinkler irrigation without levelling the field first, the reports said. Sardarpur tehsil in Dhar gets water for 66 villages (25,422 hectares). Jhabua district has 194 villages and 32,000 hectares, spread over Jhabua, Petlawad, Meghnagar, Thandla, Rama and Ranapur tehsils.

Lift From Chandankhedi, 102.30 MW of Power

Water is drawn from the Narmada at Chandankhedi village in Kukshi tehsil of Dhar, with a planned lift of 186.62 million cubic metres. The scheme needs 102.30 MW of electricity. The Free Press Journal reported that construction is complete and testing and commissioning are under way, so the first deliveries to fields will follow that work. Union Minister of State Savitri Thakur and state ministers Kailash Vijayvargiya and Nirmala Bhuria were listed to attend.

Also read Bhopal Fisheries Investors and Exporters Conclave on 23 October

What Is Still Unclear

The reports do not give a date for the first water release, the number of farm families covered or the water charges. For earlier state investment announcements, see Madhya Pradesh’s Indore semiconductor summit and the Daily Updates page.

Source: Based on reporting by Free Press Journal and The Bharat Now.

Image: Free Press Journal (representative image).