Decade-old Finna Singh project moves forward: Central government approves final funds

Diary Times News Service

Kangra, August 14: The long-awaited Finna Singh irrigation project in Nurpur of Kangra district is set to make a major progress after the central government approved the final funds. The project, which has been in the works for over a decade, is now set to get a significant boost with an allocation of ₹737 crore.

The announcement comes after a recent discussion between deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Union Jal Shakti minister CR Patil. Agnihotri underlined the importance of the project, which led the central government to decide to release the remaining funds required to complete the initiative.

The Finna Singh irrigation project, which began in 2011, has made great progress despite financial challenges. The state government has already invested ₹300 crore in the project. The central government’s approval will now provide the remaining funds, which will help complete the project and resolve long-standing budgetary issues that have been delaying its progress.

The project was initially estimated to cost ₹204 crore, but various delays and extensions have led to its budget rising to ₹737 crore. Around 50% of the work has been completed so far. The project has been a bone of contention between BJP and Congress leaders, with it being discussed several times in the state assembly.

Upon completion, the Finna Singh irrigation project is expected to bring about a sea-change in agriculture in Nurpur. The project will facilitate cultivation on 5,000 hectares of land, providing a reliable irrigation system for farmers who were previously dependent on rain. Additionally, the project also involves the construction of a dam, which is 35% complete and is estimated to generate 1.88 MW of power.

The work on critical infrastructure such as the diversion weir, link canal, tunnel and main canal is nearing completion, which will channel additional water to the dam and enhance its efficiency.

The successful progress of the Finna Singh irrigation project promises to bring significant benefits to the local farming community and boost the agricultural productivity of the region. The project is expected to reduce the financial burden on farmers and contribute positively to the local economy, marking a significant achievement for the state and central governments.

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