The Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL) has geared up to expedite the canal works for early completion of the project. In the last couple of years,works for building branch canals,distributors,minors and sub-minor canals had virtually stopped due to a number of factors,including land acquisition. As a result,no new work for building canals was taken up by the body in the last five years. SSNNL Chairman N V Patel said: We had a host of issues related to land acquisition,delay in preparing structure designs and carrying out soil surveys. Now,these issues have largely been resolved and we have invited bids to undertake canal works on massive scales. According to him,the 465-km long main canal from Narmada for Rajasthan and Saurashtra has been built,but 44 branch canals are still incomplete. We have focused to finish all the branch canals and subsequently works for building minors and sub minors will be taken up, Patel said,adding that bids for various packages of canal works have been invited for Morbi,Dhrangadhra,Limbdi and Banaskantha. On the response from the contractors,Patel said: We have put the system for land acquisition in place and are now preparing the structural designs. Contractors are making beeline for participation. A senior SSNNL official said: Now,construction firms like L&T,HCC,IVRCL and many other local firms have come forward and have bid or want to bid in the canal works. The official said,at the time of awarding contract,land possession and design for the structure are given to the contractor so that no delay takes place in undertaking the work. It may be noted that once completed,the project will provide irrigation to around 18 lakh hectares in the state besides drinking water to over 10,000 villages and towns. The Gujarat government has planned to complete the project by 2015.
