Bhubaneswar, Dec 30 : Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday laid foundation stone of two irrigation projects through video conferencing in Nawarangpur district to be constructed at a cost of around Rs 2,000 crore .
Chief Minister’s office sources said while 11 projects would be implemented under the Parvatigiri Mega Lift Irrigation project at a cost of Rs 1272 core, Turi-Gunnat Irrigation project would be built at a cost of Rs 576 crore.
With the commissioning of these two projects 70,000 hectares of crop land would be irrigated. While around 50,000 hectares of land in Nandahandi, Nawarangpur and Tentulikhunti block would be irrigated after commissioning of Parvatigiri mega irrigation projects, 20,000 hectares of crop land of Kosamunda and Nabarangpur block would be irrigated due to the Turi-Gunant irrigation project.
Irrigation would be done by using the latest modern technology through underground pipe and there would be no displacement of people.
Patnaik said he has special focus for the Nawarangpur district.
The Chief Minister said agriculture is the backbone of the socio -economy system of the state. That is why I have alaways given importance to the development of farm and farmers. Many schemes have been launched for the development of agriculture, he said.
Naveen said the welfare of farmers and women has always been his main focus as the development of the state cannot be achieved without the development of farmers and women.
The Chief Minister said a decision has been taken to cover all people in villages under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana. Now 90 per cent people of the state would get better Medicare free.