BHOPAL: About 8 lakh hectares of rabi crop sowing area would be affected across Madhya Pradesh if dams and canal systems are not repaired by October 15. A sum of Rs300 crore would be required for their repair, said sources.
The recent flood has severely affected around 660 minor irrigation schemes, dams and canal systems of 38 medium and major projects in Sheopur, Shivpuri, Gwalior, Bhind, Morena, Ashoknagar, Guna and Datia districts in the Gwalior-Chambal region.
Water resources minister Tulsi Ram Silawat has discussed about the irrigation structures that have been damaged by excessive rainfall in the Gwalior-Chambal region with chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan earlier this week.
Silawat told CM Chouhan that the flood-inflicted damages would affect around 8 lakh hectare area where rabi crops have been sown. He said that in order to provide irrigation facilities to farmers, it is imperative to complete the repair works before October 15.
An estimate of Rs816 crore has been made for the repair and restoration of dams, canals and other water structures on a preliminary survey.
