BHUBANESWAR: The ambitious Gangadhar Meher lift canal system, designed to provide assured irrigation to around 25,600 hectares of drought-hit areas surrounding Bijepur in Bargarh district, will be operational by September 2023, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said on Saturday while launching the distribution of smart health cards under Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY).
In a video message which was played during the function, Naveen said the crucial project is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 2,090 crore.
"Bargarh is the sacred land of goddess Lakshmi. It is the rice bowl of Odisha. Like farmers, weavers of the district have gifted the famous Sambalpur sari to the world. I salute the skills of farmers and weavers of Bargarh," said the chief minister.
The irrigation project was announced by the chief minister in October 2017, ahead of the Bijepur by-election. Once operational, it will source water from the Hirakud dam through Bargarh main canal and provide irrigation to the drought-hit areas like Bijepur, Sohela and Barpali. Naveen, on the occasion, laid the foundation stone for a cancer hospital in Bargarh, a long-standing demand of the district. The hospital will be developed at an investment of Rs 90 crore. He also launched several other projects worth Rs 300 crore.
Regarding the BSKY smart card, the chief minister said around 3.64 lakh families will receive them. The card will help people receive hassle-free cashless treatment in government hospitals and 200 private empanelled hospitals in and outside the state. The chief minister reiterated that every life is precious and he wants everyone, be it a farmer, a daily labour or a rickshaw puller, to lead a life with dignity.
