Proposal to spend Tk. 2500 crore for modernization of GK irrigation project
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![Proposal to spend Tk. 2500 crore for modernization of GK irrigation project](https://imaginary.barta24.com/resize?width=1280&quality=75&type=webp&path=uploads/news/2024/Jul/26/1721971334435.jpg)
Proposal to spend Tk. 2500 crore for modernization of GK irrigation project
In addition to the failure of pumps, the amount of irrigable land under the Ganges-Kobadak (GK) Irrigation Project, implemented with the aim of bringing 1.42 lakh hectares of land under cultivation, has come down to 95.62 thousand hectares due to the destruction of canal dikes and the deposition of silt.
Under this once-largest irrigation scheme in the country, which is gradually decreasing capacity, 51.55 thousand hectares of land was cultivated in the fiscal year 2020-21, which was about 40 thousand hectares in the following two fiscal years.
The Ministry of Water Resources has sent a project proposal titled "Rehabilitation of Ganges-Kobadak Irrigation Project" to the Planning Commission at a cost of about Tk. 2500 crore.
Recently, the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) meeting organized by the Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Institutions Division of the Planning Commission recommended restructuring the proposal with several suggestions.
The revised Development Project Proposal (DPP) in the light of the recommendations will be presented to the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) for final approval after it is submitted to the Planning Commission. If approved, the project will be implemented by the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB).
According to the Ministry of Water Resources, the GK Irrigation Project was undertaken in 1954 with the aim of increasing agricultural production by bringing 13 upazilas of Kushtia, Chuadanga, Magura and Jhenaidah under irrigation in four districts of Khulna Division.
The first phase of the GK project started in 1955-56 and ended in 1969-70. Later, when the project was expanded in the second phase, it covered three main canals, 49 branch canals and 444 sub-branch canals.
According to the proposal, two of the three main pumps under the project are currently inoperative. Another pump is kept operational through routine repair work. Apart from that, various limitations have been created in this irrigation project over time.
It also said that during the dry season, when the water in the main canals goes below 4 meters from the sea level, subsidiary pumps are used as the main pump does not work.
However, in 2004-05, the damaged subsidiary pumps became beyond repair and irrigation stopped when the water level fell.
It is said to highlight the rationale of the new project, out of the 49 branch canals of the irrigation project, 20 dykes are completely damaged and irrigation cannot be done through them. The remaining 29 dykes are partially damaged.
On the other hand, out of 444 sub-branch canals, 208 have been filled with silt. As a result, even through the sub-branch canals, the desired level of irrigation is not possible.
In total, the current irrigable area of GK irrigation scheme has been reduced to 95 thousand 616 hectares.
The main works of the project include construction of GK Subsidiary Pump House in Bheramara Upazila of Kushtia along with re-excavation of the main connecting canal from the source mouth of the pump house.
Construction of connecting road from the main road of Bheramara upazila to the subsidiary pump house will also be done under the project.
Reconstruction of main canals of GK Irrigation Project, excavation of secondary and tertiary irrigation canals and drainage canals will also be done.
The project proposal expressed optimism that if all the canals were re-dug, the irrigable area could be brought back to its previous extent.
Abdul Baki, Member (Secretary) of Agriculture, Water Resources and Rural Institutions Division of Planning Commission presided over the recently held PEC meeting. When asked, he said that the GK irrigation project is very important for the region, but the project is not as effective as it used to be due to various reasons like filling up of canals and broken pumps. If new canal digging and other activities are implemented, the GK irrigation project will be useful for everyone.
He said that the proposal was sent back with several recommendations in the PEC meeting. He also said that if the proposal is restructured and sent to the Planning Commission by following all these recommendations, it can be presented to ECNEC.