Centre okays 46 irrigation projects in eastern Vidarbha

NAGPUR, May 28: The Central Government has given the long-awaited environmental clearance to 46 irrigation projects in eastern Vidarbha, wh...

NAGPUR, May 28: The Central Government has given the long-awaited environmental clearance to 46 irrigation projects in eastern Vidarbha, which were affected by the Forest Conservation Act. The clearance was given after an extensive survey of forest land to be submerged under the dam water in these projects and the zudpi jungle’ land identified for carrying out compensatory afforestation, was carried out.

A total of 63,341 hectare zudpi jungle’ land was transferred to the Forest Department for carrying out compensatory afforestation as per the provisions of Forest Conservation Act.

The issue of expediting these projects was taken up at a meeting of revenue, forest and irrigation department officials. Of the 46 projects cleared by the Centre, 33 are State sector projects and 13 are local sector projects. Divisional Commissioner S Shazad Hussain, who presided over the meeting, informed that 17 more projects out of 39 planned under the special package for development of Vidarbha, have also been cleared by the Centre. Most of these are minor projects.

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Many more medium and major projects are awaiting clearance with the Centre. Detailed proposals listing the information sought by the Centre should be prepared within two months, Hussain told the officials. The proposals would be routed through the nodal officer who has been specially appointed for the purpose.

Earlier, D B Choudhari, Superintendent Engineer, Irrigation department, submitted a report about the projects cleared and also about pending projects. The meeting was attended by chief engineer S L Bhingare, deputy commissioner (Rehabilitation) V S Banginwar and superintending engineer D D Rewatkar who proposed the vote of thanks.