Gaya: With the monsoon expected around June 15 and the kharif season approaching, officials have accelerated land acquisition and construction work related to the North Koel Irrigation Project in Gaya district.District land acquisition officer Ravindra Ram said the land acquisition process for the project was nearing completion and the remaining formalities would be completed soon. However, he did not disclose the total land required for the scheme.On Saturday, Gaya district magistrate (DM) Shashank Shubhankar inspected the project site along with officials of the water resources department and representatives of the private company executing the work.During the inspection, officials briefed the DM about the progress of the project. Shashank directed the agencies concerned to speed up the work without compromising on quality.Officials said the canal under the project is being developed using a non-conventional model. Unlike traditional earthen canals that suffer water loss due to seepage, the new canal bed and side slopes are being concretised to improve water retention and irrigation efficiency.Experts associated with the project said concrete lining helps reduce seepage and can cut water loss by 30-50%.The DM was informed earthwork on the 6.5-km stretch between Sithal and Nima villages in Amas block was progressing satisfactorily and around 2.5km had already been concretised.Officials also informed him that 19 structures, including SLR bridges, DLR bridges and super passages, are to be constructed under the project. Of these, three have been completed so far.Sources said Shashank expressed displeasure over the slow pace of construction of bridges and super passages and asked officials to accelerate the work.The project, monitored by both the Prime Minister’s Office and the state chief secretary, aims to irrigate around 30,000 hectares across five drought-prone blocks of Gaya district, including Amas and Guraru.
