Bhopal, Dec 31: Water Resources Minister Anup Mishra has said that the World Bank has so far approved 84 irrigation projects of Madhya Pradesh. Sixty-six more proposals for irrigation projects (SMPs) are under consideration of the World Bank for approval.

The Water Resources Minister, while giving information about the ambitious World Bank-sponsored projects, said that modernisation work of Harsi canal channel has started. Agency for carrying out works for Chambal main canal has also been identified. Work on 22 other medium and small projects is under progress.

This project would not only modernise old dams and canals in the state but would also pave the way for farmers' economic uplift through improved and hi-tech methods of farming, horticulture, fisheries and animal husbandry.

Water Sector Restructuring Project is being implemented in the state for modernising irrigation projects in Madhya Pradesh with the cooperation of the World Bank. For implementing this project a Project Implementation and Coordination Unit (PICU) has been formed under the state Waster Resources Department.

Under this World Bank project, 654 old dams and their canals would be renovated in 30 districts falling in the basins of five rivers in Madhya Pradesh. The period of this Rs 1919 crore project is six years and it would be completed by 2011. In the first phase, 175 SMPs had been proposed to be forwarded to World Bank with a cost of Rs 101 crore, 36 lakh 35 thousands. So far 150 SMPs have been forwarded to World Bank. PICU has issued instructions to the chief engineers of the basin areas of all the five rivers to prepare rest of the SMPs.

"The main purpose of this project is to increase productivity of water so that its skillful use can be ensured. Under the project existing irrigation projects would be given a modernised shape. Besides, farmers living in the project area would be given the benefits of improved farming, horticulture, fisheries and animal husbandry."- Anup Mishra, Water Resources Minister