The Planning Commission on Thursday cleared the investment proposal for modernisation of Haryana’s irrigation network. The project, estimated to cost Rs 115.94 crore (2011 price level), will undertake rehabilitation, renovation and modernisation of critically damaged channels of the State’s irrigation network, a Plan panel release said.

Gandhinagar: The Narmada canal’s movement towards Kutch has suddenly hit an environmental roadblock. Already under construction, the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL), which is Narmada project’s implementing agency, has now found to its utter bewilderment that it had never taken a crucial forest conservation Act clearance from the Government of India for Kutch branch canal’s 13 kilometre stretch falling outside the Wild Ass Sanctuary.

Dharamsala: The simple technology developed by CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur, has found few takers among farmers of the state. A model for conserving rain water, developed by the Palampur agriculture university, can offer a solution to at least the drinking water problems of the district.

Ranchi, Jan. 29: The water resources department has sanctioned Rs 40.20 crore for the repair of a main canal and a branch of the Kanchi weir, which had collapsed in 2007 leaving 40,000 acres in Naxalite hotbeds of the district without irrigation facilities. The department has proposed to begin repair work on the main canal and the Baranda branch within the ongoing fiscal and complete the project in June in order to water the fields for a fruitful kharif crop in 125 villages.

JAIPUR: After finding presence of excessive fluoride, nitrate and salinity in drinking water to have caused health problems in Nagaur, the government has decided to use water from the Indira Gandhi canal for supply to the district with the help of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) funds.

Union minister of Rural Development Jairam Ramesh has recommended to the department of economic affairs (DEA) a proposal for the Nagaur Lift Water Supply phase II for external finance assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The Rajasthan state government’s determination to construct a canal which will slice through the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) is going to take a heavy toll on the tiger population of this high-profile sanctuary.
The canal will severe the crucial corridor that links RTR to the Sawai Mansingh Sanctuary.

Gajoldoba (Jalpaiguri), Jan. 8: Bickering gave way to bonhomie today when water was released for the first time from the Teesta Barrage to farmlands along the left bank. Irrigation minister Manas Bhunia was showered with praise by his cabinet colleague, Trinamul Congress’s Gautam Deb, and the CPM MP from Jalpaiguri, Mahendra Roy. They lauded the senior Congress leader for channelling water into the Teesta’s left bank within eight months of taking charge of the irrigation department.

Closure of the Western Gandak Canal by the Bihar Government for structural repairs and maintenance work has given jitters to the Mayawati government in neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. Apparently, poll-bound UP does not want to earn the wrath of farmers in its eastern districts - Gorakhpur, Deoria, Maharajganj and Kusinagar - that are dependent on this canal system for irrigation.