The state government has decided to build a network of pipelines to fetch water from dams, scrapping the existing open canal system.
The state government has decided to build a network of pipelines to fetch water from dams, scrapping the existing open canal system.
Water resources minister Girish Mahajan claimed that the pipeline system would not only save money but also stop water leakage and theft. Mr Mahajan told media persons on Tuesday at Mantralaya that the state Cabinet had taken a decision not to construct open canals henceforth. “We will not build canals henceforth. Instead, we will lay down underground pipelines to carry water to farms as well as cities for drinking purposes,” he said.
The minister claimed that need for land acquisition for irrigation projects will not arise after such a system comes into existence; it would help cut down costs of irrigation projects by 30 to 35 per cent. “At present, 40 to 45 per cent water is either stolen or gets leaked. The closed pipelines will also save 20 to 25 per cent water from being evaporated,” he said and added that the system was expected to be completed by 2019.
