Chapter – Four : Irrigation & Flood Control

IV. IRRIGATION AND FLOOD CONTROL

4.1 MAJOR AND MEDIUM IRRIGATION

4.1.1Programme of the Irrigation and Waterways Department

The department provides surface water irrigation facilities to the agricultural fields through major and medium irrigation projects and management of flood including drainage. The State of West Bengal with a total geographical area of 88752 Sq. km. falls under the Brahmaputra, Ganga and Subarnarekha basins and is divided mainly between the Brahmaputra basin and Ganga sub-basin with a small part of the Western Portion in the Subarnarekha basin.

4.1.2Programme of the Irrigation and Waterways Department

IRRIGATION SECTOR

There are 7 major irrigation projects and 34 medium irrigation schemes being managed by this department. Out of these, DamodarValley project, the Mayurrakshi Reservoir Project, the Kangsabati Reservoir Project, the Hinglow Reservoir Project and the MidnaporeCanals were taken up earlier. The Teesta Barrage Project and Subarnarekha Barrage Project are the two major on-going schemes. The Subarnarekha Barrage Project under AIBP has been taken up and land acquisition part of the project has been going on. The project has to be completed by 2012. Potential command area under this project is around 30,000 hectares.

In addition, two irrigation schemes namely Darakeshwar-Gandheswari Reservoir Project with ultimate irrigation potential of 51,200 ha and Siddheswari-noonbeel Reservoir Project with irrigation potential of 25,000 ha are being taken up during the Annual Plan, 2008-09.

TEESTA BARRAGE PROJECT

A cumulative potential of 1,38,520 ha has been created from Teesta Barrage. The major construction works on Teesta and Mahananda main canal have been completed. It is worthwhile to say that the Teesta Barrage Project happens to be one of the largest irrigation projects in India and every effort is being made for its early completion. The said project comprises six districts of North Bengal.

The Teesta Project has been recognised as a National Project by Ministry of Water Resources, GOI. Planning Commission has approved the first sub-stage of Stage-I of the Project at Rs.2988.61 crore in January 2009.

WORK PROGRAMME FOR THE YEAR 2009-10.

•Completing micro survey in 180.00 Sq Km of the command area by National Remote Sensing Agency. This work has been given immense importance for initiating the execution of the construction of distributaries and minors.

• To complete the remaining work of micro survey being executed by the Department itself in the command areas of distributaries and minors.

•To submit land acquisition proposals expeditiously.

•To complete the ongoing works.

•To resolve the administrative problems for which some portions in the canals , which could not be completed ,so as to make those canal through. The no of such canals is 21

•To adopt appropriate measures such as Turn-Key or fixed time and fixed price contracts to ensure timely completion of the works.

•Commitments made above rest on the availability of lands without encumbrances.

SUBARNAREKHA BARRAGE PROJECT

The project aims at creation of 1,14,198 ha of irrigational potential in the district of Purba & Paschim Midnapore where 92% of the population are rural and the dependent on agriculture. The Planning Commission of India had agreed to include this project as a part of the Subarnarekha basin development works.

TIDAL IRRIGATION

Large tract of lands in the district of Howrah, Hooghly, Purba Medinipur, North & South 24-Parganas are brought under irrigation for cultivation of Rabi crops and summer paddy during November to March end by judiciously allowing ingress of tidal water of river Hooghly through the different drainage channels out falling to that river. This is a unique scheme and about 1.4 lakh hectare of area are benefited.

An amount of Rs. 5870.10 lakh is the outlay under ‘Major and Medium Irrigation’ for the Annual Plan 2009-10.

4.2MINOR IRRIGATION

4.2.1Programme of Water Resources Investigation & Development Department

Creation of Irrigation Potentials in the MI Sector is a major factor in this sector, covering the area under ground water resources and surface water resources. During 2009-10 the target for creation of MI Potential is being fixed on the basis of that of the preceding year, reducing dependency on ground water schemes but enhancing surface water utilization.

SWID (State Water Investigation Directorate)

State Water Investigation Directorate carries out estimation of ground water resources of the State jointly with Central Ground Water Board from time to time, in accordance with the norms prescribed by the Ground Water Estimation Committee (GEC) set up by the Government of India. This Directorate has taken up work of the fourth M.I. Census regarding ground water related work. The budget of 2008-09 was Rs.194.75 crore which will be enhanced in 2009-10.

The last ground water estimate was completed in 269 Blocks of the State following the GEC-97 Methodology (Modified Criteria) excluding 59 Blocks falling in the southern deltaic region with salinity hazard in ground water and 13 Blocks falling in the northern mountainous / sub-mountainous regions of the State. The assessment of ground water resources which started jointly by SWID and CGWB has been completed and it has been found that net annual water availability in

State is 27.46 billion cubic meter The stage of ground water development for the State as a whole is 42.42%. Re assessment of potential is under active consideration of the State Government.

As per the estimate, 231 Blocks have been categorized as ‘Safe’, 28 as ‘Semi-Critical’ and 10 as ‘Critical’. This estimate has been approved by State Level Committee (SLC). A subsequent review of the status of the aforesaid 38 ‘Semi-Critical’ and ‘Critical’ Blocks has resulted in categorization of 37 Blocks as ‘Semi-Critical’ and 1 Block as ‘Critical’ which is, however, yet to be ratified by the State Level Committee.

The Department is seriously concerned about depletion of ground water storage in different parts of the state, intrusion of coastal aquifers, arsenic, fluoride, iron menace in the ground water regime. Chemical analysis of water samples has revealed that occurrence of arsenic and Fluoride has been found in 81 Blocks and in 45 Blocks respectively.

For proper utilization of ground water resources through effective management and regulation the necessity of suitable legislation was long felt. An Act titled ‘West Bengal Ground Water Resources (Management, Control & Regulation) Act, 2006 was enacted and Rules thereof were finalized and came into force with effect from 1st August, 2006. A two tier Authority has been set up by the State Government for implementation of this Act. There are 18 (eighteen) District level Authorities for 18 districts of the State. 1 (one) Corporation Level Authority for Kolkata Municipal Corporation and state level Authority as an Apex Body. As per provision of the Act it has been made mandatory toobtain permit from the concerned authorities for use of ground water through sinking of any kind of well / tube-wells installed prior to coming into force at the Act are to be registered with concerned authorities. The guidelines for issue of permit and certificate of registration have already initiated. Manpower and infrastructure of SWID has been strengthened for acting as functional organ of these authorities.

In terms of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment and in conformity with the provision of the West Bengal Panchayat Act, the Panchayat Bodies are being involved right from the stage of preparation of the minor irrigation schemes implemented by the Water Resources Investigation and Development Department. Sites of the schemes are selected in consultation with the local Panchayat Body and thereafter, with the respective District Site Selection Committees and subsequently of the concerned Zilla Parishad. Thereafter, schemes are processed for approval of the Government. Special emphasis is given to the districts of North Bengal in formulating the schemes for execution. Proper attention is also given for execution of the schemes in tribal areas as per policy of the Government.

Special emphasis and priority are given to the small and marginal farmers as well as SC & ST areas in selecting the sites of the schemes. Proportionate allocation of funds are also made in the Annual Plan for this Department for each year. SC and ST Mouzas in all the districts of West Bengal are given the most priority in implementation of MI Schemes.

CORE PROJECTS

Already some completed schemes have been put into operation. For development of minor irrigation some new schemes are also being taken under core sector work. Incomplete schemes of 2008-09 alongwith other new schemes will be taken up during 2009-10.

‘National Projects for Repair, Renovation and Restoration of the Water Bodies directly linked to Agriculture’ were taken up in Uttar Dinajpur & South 24 Parganas districts under 75 : 25 funding pattern Centrally Sponsored Scheme. In Uttar Dinajpur work of 12 schemes have been completed out of 15 schemes and in South 24 Parganas work of 12 schemes have been completed out of 51 schemes.

RIDF (Rural Infrastructure Development Fund )

The RIDF Projects taken up are No.VIII to No.XIV, covering a total irrigated area of 185987 hectares at a total cost of Rs.370 crore. So far Rs.173 crore was received and Rs.147 crore was utilized. The total sanctioned sectors were 10356. Under RIDF-VIII, problems are being faced in energizing the installations because the Power Department is unable to give power connection even after the payment is made. This is leading to theft and choking of tubewells. During 2008-09, Out of Rs.65 crore allotted, Rs.21 crore was utilized and a demand of further Rs. 56 crore was placed (total Rs.77 crore) exceeding the allotment to cover initial project cost of RIDF-XIV which is due to start.

The project work under RIDF-X was completed within the month of March’2008. Under RIDF-XI Rs. 4,456.64 lakh has been sanctioned by NABARD for execution of all together 1272 Nos Minor Irrigation Installations. The works of the project has been started.

RIDF-XII has been sanctioned for installation of total 2589 nos. structures with an estimated total cost of Rs.8108.25 lakh. An additional MI potential of 37294 hectares is being created after its implementation. The Project completion date has been fixed 31st March,2009.

Another Minor Irrigation project with an estimated amount of Rs. 8163.77 Lakh has been prepared and is being submitted for inclusion in RIDF XIII programme.

A project titled “Project for Accelerated Development of Minor Irrigation in West Bengal” which was submitted to the Govt. of India for creating additional irrigation potential of 4.08 lakh hectare for external credit assistance, has been cleared by the Government of India and has been sent to the World Bank through Department of Economic Affairs. The estimated value of the project is of Rs. 1142.50 crore. The World Bank had started work upon the appraisal of the project during 2006-2007. In the first phase, districts of Bankura, North 24 Parganas, Birbhum, Jalpaiguri and Coochbehar have been selected as pilot districts. Steering committees have been formed for Districts. Implementation work will be started within March, 2009.

THRUST AREAS:

a)The Department will measures to convert the beneficiary committees into cooperative societies registered under Societies Registration Act, because this will enable the Power Department to make an agreement with them and to supply power for the said schemes and issues energy bills in favour of registered societies.

b)The Department will prepare a district wise picture mentioning the inconveniences and problems for the consideration of the State Planning Board.

c)The Department will assess supply of water for the industries in different districts and a comprehensive report will be prepared.

d)A coordination meeting will be held for a way out for water-intensive industries like steel, chemical, power and cement.

Fiscal-Social Welfare Stimulus Package

The Govt. has considered adverse effect of Global Recession on the State Economy and has accordingly structured a fiscal social welfare stimulus package within the Minor Irrigation sub-sector as well. Accordingly special provision has been put in place. The special scheme and the provision of outlay for 2009-10 are as follows :

Special surface-water-based minor irrigation scheme in the lands of BPL farmers as well as other small and marginal farmers by creating water bodies in a fraction of their land and helping cultivation of several crops and animal resource development for generation of income and employment / : / Rs. 100 crore

The plan outlay under ‘Minor Irrigation’ during 2009-10 is Rs. 17248.00 lakh.

4.3COMMAND AREA DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

4.3.1Programme of the Water Resources Investigation & Development Department

Under Command Area Development & Water Management (CAD&WM) Programme, which is a 50:40:10 Centrally Sponsored Scheme (50%- Central share, 40%- state share, 10% Farmers contribution), Construction of Field Channels, Conjunctive use of Ground Water and other On Farm Development Schemes are executed by this Department. A target had been fixed up to cover 6600 ha through these schemes during 2008-2009. The schemes are also handed over to the beneficiaries’ committees for operation & maintenance. In the four CADA areas under this State, WUAS are being formed at present under Cooperative Society Act with the help of local officials of Cooperative Department.

An amount of Rs.1600.00 lakh is the outlay under ‘Command Area Development Programme’for the Annual Plan 2009-10.

4.4 AIBP

4.4.1 Programme of the Irrigation and Waterways Department

Balance work of the Teesta Barrage Project like the works of distributaries, minors and sub-minors from the head regulator up to 23 Km. of Dauk-Nagar Main Canal are taken up under AIBP. Since Teesta is a National Project now funding from GoI will be available under AIBP at the ratio of 90:10 (90% will be contribution of GOI) for this project. Works on three Medium Irrigation schemes namely, Tatko, Hanumata and Patloi irrigation schemes under Purulia have also been considered under AIBP.

4.4.2Programme of the Water Resources Investigation & Development Department

Under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) a project proposal covering 06 no. Major RLI schemes in tribal areas, 11 no. Surface Flow Irrigation schemes in draught prone areas and 15 no. Check Dam schemes are under focus.

An amount of Rs. 31400.00 lakh is the outlay under ‘AIBP’ for the Annual Plan 2009-10.

4.5FLOOD CONTROL

4.5.1Programme of the Irrigation & Waterways Department

West Bengal is the lowermost riparian State in the GangaBasin and most of the rivers in the State originate from outside the state boundary and are of inter-state/international category. The State is quite often ravaged by destructive flood, even when there is no appreciable rainfall within the geographical limits of the State. Along with flood, various allied problems like bank erosion, drainage congestion, cyclonic disaster accentuate the flood situation. 43% of its geographical area flood prone and happens to be one of the prime flood prone States in the country.

This apart, river erosion problem is causing much concern to the State. Unabated bank erosion on the left bank of river Ganga on the upstream of Farakka Barrage and in other places of Ganga-Padma and Bhagirathi-Hooghly rivers have assumed an alarming proportion threatening the very existence of several towns & villages of the State.

The Task Force constituted by the MOWR, Government of India for looking into the problems of flood management and erosion control of various states, made the following recommendations:

  1. Extension of jurisdiction of Farakka Barrage Project from 40 Km. upstream of Farakka Barrage upto 80 Km. downstream, on the Ganga-Padma main stream; and
  2. Setting up ‘Sikkim and North Bengal Management Board’ (including administrative and territorial jurisdiction of North Bengal Flood Control Commission).

On a realistic approach, following phasing of expenditure is proposed for execution of the schemes by the State Government recommended by the Task Force during the XIth Plan.

(In crore of Rs.)

Location of Schemes / Estimate cost / 2007-08 / 2008-09 / 2009-10 / 2010-11 / 2011-12 / Total (during XI Plan)
In GangaBasin / 344.25 / 22.86 / 23.97 / 52.54 / 59.09 / 69.44 / 227.90
In BrahmaputraBasin / 37.00 / 5.00 / 7.50 / 5.50 / 9.00 / 10.00 / 37.00
Total :: / 381.25 / 27.86 / 31.47 / 58.04 / 68.09 / 79.44 / 264.90

To improve the drainage congestion of KMC area including added area a scheme namely Kolkata Environmental Improvement Project (KEIP) has been started with financial assistance of Asian Development Board (A D B ). The works consists of construction of 23 nos. bridges and canal rehabilitation work. Out of 23 nos. of bridge, 7 nos. have already been completed and 7 nos. shall be completed. Construction of remaining bridges are in progress.

THRUST AREAS

Flood Control and Anti-erosion :

# A number of projects were undertaken to mitigate flood and anti-erosion during 2008-09, two important schemes being Ganga-Padma Erosion project and Bhagirathi Erosion Project. Keleghai Kapaleswari and Baghai Drainage Schemes, Ghatal Master Plan Scheme (Purba and Paschim Midnapore) and Kandi Master Plan (Murshidabad) are in different stages of finalization. Further, to mitigate flood in the lower Damodar region discussions with Jharkhand Government are being undertaken for increasing the dam storage capacity of Maithon and Panchet by way of further land acquisition and other details.

# A district-wise report will be prepared covering total annual irrigation potential, actual irrigation coverage etc. in the major and minor irrigation sector. State and district-wise extent of coverage would be highlighted.

An amount of Rs. 16854.90 lakh is the outlay under ‘Flood Control’ for the Annual Plan 2009-10.

The plan outlay under ‘ Irrigation & Flood Control’ during 2009-10 is Rs. 72973.00 lakh.

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