Durgawati Reservoir and Punpun Barrage Schemes Reviewed by Ministry of Jal Shakti

Chirag Gupta

Patna: A review meeting was held at Shram Shakti Bhawan, New Delhi, to evaluate the progress of irrigation schemes under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program (AIBP) and Command Area Development and Water Management (CAD&WM) program, part of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY). The meeting was chaired by Debashree Mukherjee, Secretary, Ministry of Jal Shakti, with Bihar’s Water Resources Department represented by Principal Secretary Santosh Kumar Malla and senior officials.

During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the Durgawati Reservoir Scheme and the Punpun Barrage Scheme. It was decided to expedite the completion of the Durgawati Reservoir Scheme based on its current progress. For the Punpun Barrage Scheme, the preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) was directed within one month to facilitate irrigation through an underground pipeline, avoiding land acquisition challenges.

The Durgawati Reservoir Scheme is currently providing irrigation facilities in Kaimur and Rohtas districts, benefiting numerous farmers. The Punpun Barrage Scheme aims to extend irrigation benefits to farmers in Karpi block of Arwal district, Ratni Faridpur and Jehanabad blocks of Jehanabad district, and Paliganj, Masaurhi, and Punpun blocks of Patna district.

The review highlighted the government’s commitment to accelerating irrigation infrastructure projects to support agricultural development in Bihar.