(News) Parched Bundelkhand to get Centre’s check dams

The Union Ministry of Water Resources has stepped in to solve the water woes in the parched lands of Bundelkhand in Uttar Pradesh. The ministry has initiated an extensive project for water management and water recharging in the region and has chosen seven blocks of seven districts for the pilot project. The ministry will spend over Rs 45 crore to create a network of 178 check dams and wells.

According to the state Minor Irrigation department, the nodal agency for the implementation of the project, at least 40 to 45 per cent of these check dams will be completed before the monsoons to tap the rainwater. The project has been launched under the Repair, Restoration and Renovation of Water Bodies programme of the ministry. In UP, it is being implemented jointly by the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB), Central Water Commission (CWC) and the UP Minor Irrigation department. One block has been chosen in each of the seven districts in the pilot phase 2010-2011. These blocks are Naraini in Banda, Manikpur in Chitrakoot, Jaitpur in Mahoba, Maudaha in Hamirpur, Dakor in Jalaun, Bara in Lalitpur and Bangra in Jhansi.

Secretary (Minor Irrigation) R S Dubey said: “The project is being implemented with 100 per cent Central assistance. A team of experts from the CGWB had visited the districts in 2009, during which they had not just identified the blocks which were the worse affected ones, but also created a map of what all should be done in these blocks. In the first phase, they have suggested construction of check dams.” 178 check dams have been approved in seven blocks, for which a budget of Rs 46.47 crore has already been approved. 

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Courtesy: Indianexpress.com