Bhubaneswar, Jan 3 (FN Bureau) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday dedicated the Rs 2723 crore Lower Suktel Irrigation project at Balangir in Western Odisha. Speaking on the occasion , Patnaik said the irrigation project, ninth highest dam project in the state, would provide irrigation facilities to one lakh acre ayacut area in 203 villages of Balangir and Subarnapur benefiting 80,000 farmers. The project, he said would also provide drinking water facilities for 70,000 populations of two local urban bodies of Balangir. Patnaik said there would be no displacement for irrigation as water would be supplied through pressurised underground pipe. The Chief Minister also inaugurated 69 projects worth Rs 305 crore , laid foundation stone for 112 projects worth Rs 220 crore and launched projects worth 2525 core.
The Lower Suktel project,Patnaik said would solve the problems of the farmers of Bolangir bringing transformation in the agriculture and irrigation sectors and usher a new era of development in Bolangir district. The state government,he said had launched several schemes including KALIA , interest free loan, free crop insurance for the benefit of the farmers who are the charioteer of the economy. Remembering the sacrifice of displaced people , Patnaik said he is paying respect to them for their sacrifice.
Their sacrifice for the development of Bolangir would be remembered for all times to come. Highlighting the development of Bolangir, the Chief Minister said Bolangir now a days is making significant progress in education, health and infrastructure development and would create a special identity in the development of the state. Congress Legislature Party leader Narasingha Mishra said the work of the Lower Suktel project has not been completed yet even after 22 years. The Chief Minister, he alleged, is inaugurating an incomplete project. He appealed to the Chief Minister to initiate steps to solve the problems of the people displaced due to the project.