Uttarakhand seeks ₹98 crore for Kumbh-related works; ₹1,076 crore proposed for 24 disaster-hit projects in Chamoli and Tharali | Third-party quality checks mandated for projects costing over ₹5 crore
Dehradun: Uttarakhand Irrigation Minister Satpal Maharaj has directed departmental officials to accelerate river channelisation, strengthen irrigation infrastructure and ensure adequate water reaches farmers, including fields located at the tail ends of irrigation canals.
During a review meeting held at the Public Works Department auditorium in Yamuna Colony on Thursday, Maharaj assessed pending projects, construction delays, quality standards and water management. He emphasised that irrigation facilities must deliver water in line with the department’s irrigation capacity and called for prompt resolution of operational bottlenecks.
Ensure Water Reaches the Tail Ends of Canals
The minister directed officials to ensure tail-end water supply across irrigation canals so that farmers at the farthest points of the distribution network receive adequate water.
He noted that farmers were not receiving sufficient irrigation facilities relative to the available irrigation capacity and instructed officials to identify practical constraints and take corrective action without delay.
Maharaj also stressed the need for proper utilisation of allocated funds, regular monitoring of reservoirs and barrages, and improved management of water resources.
Third-Party Quality Checks for Projects Above ₹5 Crore
Emphasising construction quality and compliance with prescribed standards, Maharaj directed officials to arrange third-party testing for projects costing more than ₹5 crore.
The independent assessments are intended to evaluate construction quality and verify whether projects meet the required technical standards. Officials were also instructed to monitor project progress closely, identify the reasons for delays and ensure timely completion.
The minister further highlighted the need for proper channelisation of riverbeds beneath bridges to improve river management.
₹98 Crore Sought for Kumbh-Related Works
Maharaj said the department had sought ₹98 crore for works related to the Kumbh. In addition, a funding proposal of ₹1,076 crore has been submitted for 24 disaster-damaged works in the Chamoli and Tharali areas.
The department has also sought funds for seven schemes estimated to cost ₹774.33 crore.
He added that morphological and scientific studies are being conducted for the channelisation of rivers in the Garhwal and Kumaon regions. The findings will help assess river characteristics and guide further interventions.
₹337 Crore Budget for Jamrani Dam Project
The meeting also reviewed progress on the Jamrani Dam project. According to Maharaj, the project has a budget allocation of ₹337 crore for the current financial year, of which approvals amounting to ₹166 crore have been issued so far.
Senior officials attending the meeting included Irrigation Additional Secretary Garima Raunkali, Chief Engineer Subhash Chandra Pandey, Chief Engineer Shankar Kumar Shah and Chief Engineer Chandrashekhar, along with other departmental officers.
The effectiveness of the directions will ultimately depend on the timely execution of projects, improved river management and reliable delivery of irrigation water to farmers across the state.
