Shillong, Jul 29: South West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner Hema Nayak inspected the Balughat Multipurpose Reservoir Project and Jhonjona FIP of the Water Resources department near the Indo-Bangladesh border.
Balughat Reservoir Project sanctioned under Meghalaya Water Development Agency through DWRC at Balughat Village under Zikzak C&RD Block was constructed in the year 2021-2022 and is presently in the completion stage. With a command area of 66.00 Ha, the project is set to benefit 72 families of Balughat and Mekdual villages, where paddy is the main crop being cultivated by the farmers during this kharif season, while some 15 families cultivate Boro paddy during Rabi season.
During inspection, the headworks and the RCC lined canals and earthen canal, through which water is conveyed to the command area, were found to be functional and operational.
During her visit, the Deputy Commissioner also interacted with the farmers and suggested jute cultivation in the area as practised on the Bangladesh side of the international border, citing the similarity of climate and soil conditions on both sides.
She also asked the officials of Agriculture and Horticulture departments who were also present at site, to present the farmers with technical inputs on the way forward for jute cultivation.
The DC also encouraged the Secretary of IVCS Balughat to seek assistance from her office or from the office of the MBDA/MBMA, Ampati regarding jute cultivation, including post- harvest management and marketing scope of the crop.
Later, the DC also made a quick stopover at Jhonjona FIP, an Irrigation project which was constructed under AIBP in 2018-19 and caters to 138 families belonging to Jhonjonagre, Bollongre, Katuligre, and Jangre villages under Zikzak C&RD Block and was satisfied to see the irrigation project functional and operational with water flowing to the cultivation area.
