Jhabua Collector inspects Narmada micro irrigation sump well, asks villages to welcome water on Nov 15

Jhabua Collector Dr Yogesh Tukaram Bharsat on Thursday inspected the sump well at Daulatpura village in Rama tehsil, built under the Narmada-Jhabua-Petlawad-Thandla-Sardarpur micro lift irrigation project. He directed that on November 15, the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda and Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas, the arrival of Mother Narmada's water be welcomed like a festival in all 194 villages of the district that benefit from the project. He asked that the active participation of farmers and villagers be ensured.

During the inspection, the Collector reviewed the working of the sump well and the water distribution arrangements, and asked that cleanliness be ensured. He viewed the east and west lines running out of the sump well and questioned officials in detail about water distribution. He also directed that a watchman be posted for the security and upkeep of the premises.

Dr Bharsat then went to Fatepura, a village benefiting from the project. There he saw the irrigation arrangements on a farmer's field, took stock of the full system for carrying Narmada water to the fields and spoke to farmers. He appealed to them to welcome the Narmada water with enthusiasm and joy on Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas on November 15.

Officials of the Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA) said the entire project in the district has been divided into 1,622 blocks, each covering about 20 hectares. In Fatepura village, the project will provide irrigation to 78 hectares. To run the project smoothly and improve water distribution, the Collector asked for a team to be formed in every block. He also directed that farmers of the area be included in these teams.

Under the project, irrigation will be provided to 32,000 hectares of farmland in 194 villages of Jhabua district. By tehsil, this covers 17,802 hectares in 108 villages of Jhabua tehsil, 1,502 hectares in 6 villages of Petlawad tehsil, 5,504 hectares in 28 villages of Meghnagar tehsil, 5,927 hectares in 39 villages of Thandla tehsil, 1,185 hectares in 12 villages of Rama tehsil and 80 hectares in 1 village of Ranapur tehsil.

The project will assure farmers in the district of Narmada water for irrigation. It is expected to raise farm yields, bring more variety to crops and promote farmers' economic prosperity. The project is expected to prove important for agricultural development in the district and the welfare of farmers.

Sub-Divisional Officer (Revenue) Jhabua Mahesh Mandloi, NVDA officials, Tehsildar Ankita Bhide and other officials were present during the inspection.