Tuesday, May 26, 2009

JK moots tunnel to tap Ravi water potential

Will help irrigate 1.33 lakh acres of land in Ravi Basin
The State Government is contemplating to construct a water tunnel at Satwain near Thein village in Kathua district to fetch due share of water from Ranjit Sagar Dam for power generation and augmenting irrigation facilities in the district. The project, on completion, would provide irrigation facilities for 1.33 lakh acres of land in Ravi-Tawi Command Area (RTCA), enabling the State to produce additional 2.66 lakh tonnes of agricultural produce, besides generating 35 MW power.
This was disclosed by Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Mr. Taj Mohi-ud-Din at a press conference, here today. He said under water and power sharing agreements with Punjab government, Jammu and Kashmir is eligible to get 1,100 cusecs of water from River Ravi by gravity and 20 percent of power generated at Ranjit Sagar Dam at Thein. Mr. Taj Mohi-ud-Din said a detailed project report has been formulated for the construction of the said tunnel at Satwain which is being placed before the State Cabinet shortly. He said the project is expected to be completed within 4 years and would be instrumental in boosting agriculture sector in the area and help the State to meet its food requirements. He said the proposed water tunnel would also add to irrigation potential of Ravi-Tawi Command Area by tapping water from Ujh Barrage at Jasrota.  
The Minister said that for improving irrigation facilities in border areas of Suchetgarh, R. S. Pura and Bishnah, 700 cusecs of water from Tawi has been diverted at Belicharana to Ranbir Canal. The diversion of Tawi water to Ranbir Canal will provide better irrigation facilities in 42 villages falling at the tailend of the canal and would help to increase agriculture produce in these areas also. He said that about 85,000 hectares of cultivable land in these areas would get irrigation facilities, adding that the farmers of the area who have been cultivating rainfed crops can go for paddy cultivation.
Mr. Taj said a proposal also stands formulated for construction of a lake over River Tawi near present Tawi bridge, which will help to tame the water of Badi Tawi getting diverted towards Nikki Tawi. The Lake would be a captivating tourist destination and a picnic spot in Jammu city besides, ideal for boating purposes, he added. 
Special Secretary, Irrigation and Flood Control, Ms Sarita Chouhan, Chief Engineer, Irrigation Department, Jammu, Mr Daleep Bakshi and Chief Engineer Ravi, Tawi Irrigation Complex, Mr. B R Dogra were also present.



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