Balangir: Marking a dawn of new era of development in Balangir district, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Wednesday dedicated the most ambitious Lower Suktel Irrigation project, which is regarded as the lifeline of Balangir district.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the Lower Suktel project will bring transformation in the irrigation and agriculture sector in Balangir.
This project will usher in a new era in the development of Balangir district, the Chief Minister said.
Naveen, who started his first visit in New Year from Balangir, said that the water problem of the farmers of Balangir district has been solved by the Lower Suktel irrigation project.
Recalling the sacrifices of the people of the displaced villages, the Chief Minister said that the people of 29 villages have sacrificed a lot for this project. Their sacrifice for the development of Balangir will be remembered forever, he added.
It is worth noting that this project is the ninth largest dam in the Sate. Its height is 31 meters. With this project, one lakh acres of land in 203 villages of Balangir and Sonepur districts will be supplied with water. More than 80,000 farmers will get benefit. Over 70,000 people of the district will also get drinking water facility.
Since 2019, the project work has been accelerated and completed under the 5T initiative. Irrigation is being arranged through Pressurized Underground Pipeline using technology. This will not cause any displacement for irrigation.
During his visit to Balangir, the Chief Minister also inaugurated 69 other major projects worth Rs 305 crore. He also laid the foundation stones of 112 infrastructure projects worth Rs 2220 crore.
Among others, Water Resources Minister Tukuni Sahu and 5T & Nabin Odisha Chairman Kartik Pandian were present on the occasion.