Patna: Chief Minister (CM) Nitish Kumar issued a set of instructions on Thursday aimed at enhancing agricultural irrigation, bolstering green infrastructure on river embankments, and promoting the installation of solar energy facilities.
The instructions were issued during a high-level meeting convened to assess the progress of schemes and projects undertaken by the Water Resources Department (WRD). The meeting took place at the CM’s official residence, located at 1, Aney Marg.
During the meeting, Chaitanya Prasad, additional chief secretary (water resources), delivered a comprehensive presentation, shedding light on the department’s ongoing projects and proposed future endeavors. Additionally, Engineer Chief (Irrigation), Ishwar Chandra Thakur, presented a detailed account of canal upgrade initiatives, advocating for an integrated approach encompassing canals and river embankments.
A key focus of the discussions pertained to improving road connectivity, facilitating access to agricultural markets, fostering green energy production, and enhancing greenery along embankments. Detailed information was also shared regarding the Punpun Barrage scheme.
CM Nitish underscored the significance of comprehensive irrigation coverage under the second phase of Saat Nishchay (seven resolves) of the state government. He emphasized the need to expedite irrigation projects to provide farmers with the resources required for efficient agricultural practices. This, he noted, would greatly benefit the agricultural and allied sectors. The CM also called for the expansion of green cover on river embankments and the installation of solar panels to harness solar energy.
Furthermore, the chief minister urged for meticulous planning to ensure full canal capacity and the efficient distribution of water, with a focus on increasing the irrigated area. He stressed the importance of conducting on-site inspections to verify the viability of proposed projects. Accelerating efforts to expand water harvesting areas, even in hilly regions, was also emphasized as a priority. The government’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of farmers was reiterated during the meeting.
Officials present in the meeting included water resources minister Sanjay Kumar Jha, principal secretary to the CM Deepak Kumar, chief secretary Aamir Subhani, development commissioner Vivek Kumar Singh, principal secretary to the CM S Siddhartha, principal secretary of the energy department Sanjeev Hans, secretary of the rural affairs department Pankaj Kumar Pal, engineer in chief (irrigation) Ishwar Chandra Thakur, and advisor to the water resources department Ravindra Shankar among others.
