Dehradun: Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan conducted a comprehensive review of the Irrigation and Minor Irrigation Departments at the Secretariat on Monday. The meeting, which included a detailed presentation by Secretary R. Rajesh Kumar, focused on the progress and planning of various departmental schemes across the state.
During the review of the Irrigation Department, the Chief Secretary emphasized timely completion of major projects, calling for a clear timeline from initiation to completion and regular monitoring at the Secretary and Head of Department levels. He stressed prioritizing regions with high irrigation and water conservation needs and advocated for the use of modern technology to assess irrigated and non-irrigated areas.
Bardhan directed that infrastructure such as canals, tube wells, and lift canals be managed through Gram Panchayat Samitis. He also instructed the Irrigation Research Institute to identify areas with high irrigation potential and emphasized the repair and maintenance of existing canal systems.
Highlighting sustainable energy use, Bardhan proposed the installation of solar power plants on vacant departmental land, with a target of generating 1 MW of solar power this year to help reduce electricity expenses.
While reviewing the Minor Irrigation Department, the Chief Secretary stressed the importance of expanding drip and sprinkler irrigation schemes, especially in water-scarce regions. He also called for increased implementation of solar-powered irrigation in hilly areas.
For key infrastructure projects like Jamrani, Song, and Baliyanala Landslide Treatment, Bardhan instructed monthly reviews at the Secretary level and weekly or bi-weekly reviews at the department head level. He emphasized expediting forest and environmental clearances for projects like the Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Reservoir and scaling up short, medium, and long-term departmental targets.
Secretary R. Rajesh Kumar reported that construction of dams, barrages, reservoirs, and check dams is underway for water conservation, irrigation, and drinking water supply. The Jamrani Dam Multipurpose Project, launched in June 2024 with a budget of ₹3,808.16 crore, is expected to be completed by March 2030. The Song Dam Drinking Water Project, initiated in November 2024, is slated for completion by December 2029 with an estimated cost of ₹2,491.96 crore.
Additionally, the Irrigation Research Institute (IRI), Roorkee, has been designated as the implementing agency for assessing the impact of revival and treatment efforts on rain-fed rivers and streams under the Source and River Restoration Authority.
Senior officials, including Subhash Chandra Pandey from the Irrigation Department and Brijesh Kumar Tiwari from the Minor Irrigation Department, were present during the review.
