PM Modi inaugurates Arjun Sahayak Project to benefit irrigation facilities to lakhs of farmers in Bundelkhand

Mahoba: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the much-delayed Arjuna Sahayak and other irrigation projects worth Rs 3240 crore to provide irrigation facilities in the districts like Mahoba, Hamirpur and Banda.

The mega project on river Dhasan will not only provide irrigation facilities to over 1.5 lakh farmers of about 168 villages of Mahoba, Banda and Hamirpur, but will also facilitate the provision of clean drinking water (potable water) to over four lakh families residing in water-scarce regions.

UP Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and other dignitaries were present during the function in Mahoba city.

The Arjun Sahayak Project will play an important role in benefitting the crop growers along with other projects. The project, which started nearly a decade ago (2009-10), will not only make Bundelkhand green, but its operationalisation will also help in irrigation of around 44,382 hectares of land in the districts of Mahoba, Hamirpur and Banda.

Along with this, 15104 hectare irrigation capacity will be restored. In addition, 20 MCM Drinking Water will also be available to Mahoba from the Kabrai Dam.

The Arjun Sahayak Project, which was started in 2009-10 at a cost of Rs 850 crore, was to be completed in 2015. However, due to the neglect of the previous governments, not only the completion of the project was delayed, but also its cost was increased to Rs 2655.36 crore. The project will benefit nearly 149755 farmers of 168 villages of Mahoba, Hamirpur and Banda.

The Prime Minister also launched the Ratauli Dam Project built at a cost of Rs 54.28 crore, which will create 1050 hectare irrigation capacity in Mahoba district.

Besides, Bhaoni Dam Project will create irrigation capacity of 3800 hectares in Lalitpur district at a cost of Rs 512.74 crore.

The Majhgaon-Chilli Sprinkler Project to create 600 hectares of irrigation capacity in Hamirpur, built at a cost of Rs 18.24 crore, was also inaugurated by the Prime Minister.

Apart from irrigation, five other projects of the Public Works Department, Mineral Department, Tourism Department and Secondary Education Department, Mahoba, built at a cost of Rs 24.13 crore, were inaugurated. (UNI)