Bengal endeavours to increase irrigation facilities

Kolkata, September 13: Around 800 check dams and other water harvesting structures would be constructed to facilitate irrigation of nearly 32,000 hectares in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Sunday. “Around 800 structures, like check dams, will be constructed and surface flow minor irrigation schemes undertaken under ‘Jalatirtha’, a scheme to conserve surface and rain water, which will benefit around 64,000 farmers. Around Rs.500 crore will be spent,” said Banerjee. Banerjee said the scheme undertaken in the arid districts of Bankura, Birbhum, Purulia and West Midpore would help prevent soil erosion, recharge ground water aquifers, improve production and productivity of agriculture, fishery, duck rearing and animal feeding etc. “During 2015-16, another minor irrigation potential for an additiol 15,000 hectares will be created and culturable command area of 1,500 hectare developed in these areas,” she said.  (IANS)