Assam Minister Pijush Hazarika inspects Maloibari Electrical Lift Irrigation scheme at Dimoria
Guwahati, June 12
Soon after assuming charge as the Minister of Irrigation, Pijush Hazarika on Friday visited the Maloibari Electrical Lift Irrigation Scheme under Dimoria Legislative Assembly Constituency and conducted a detailed inspection of the irrigation infrastructure in the area.
During the visit, the Assam Minister inspected four pump centres and the associated canal networks to assess their operational status and the effectiveness of irrigation services being provided to farmers.
He reviewed the condition of the infrastructure, interacted with departmental officials and local farmers, and discussed measures for strengthening and extending the irrigation system network to ensure improved efficiency and service delivery.
The Maloibari ELIS, one of the oldest irrigation schemes in the region, has been serving the farming community for more than five decades.
The scheme provides assured irrigation facilities to nearly 1,800 hectares of agricultural land and benefits around 5,000 farmers, significantly contributing to agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods in the area.
Minister Hazarika stated that he would strive to make both the Agriculture and Irrigation Departments more people-centric and responsive to public needs in the coming days.
He emphasized the importance of ensuring that government services reach the grassroots effectively and benefit the farming community.
The Minister further informed that he would undertake visits to more irrigation projects and schemes across the state to gain a firsthand understanding of their functioning and challenges.
He said that such field visits would help identify issues on the ground and facilitate timely interventions for strengthening the state's irrigation infrastructure.
MLA of Dimoria, Tapan Das, the Chief Engineer of the Irrigation Department, and other officials from the Irrigation and Agriculture Departments accompanied the Minister during the visit.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Nice to see local governance in action. The minister interacting with farmers directly is a good step. But 1,800 hectares for 5,000 farmers? That's only about 0.36 hectares per farmer. Small landholdings are a real challenge in Indian agriculture. Hope the scheme also addresses water distribution equity.
This is exactly what we need – ministers on the ground instead of in AC offices! 🌾 The Maloibari scheme sounds like a lifeline for Dimoria's farmers. I just hope the maintenance is regular. Many old schemes in Assam suffer from siltation and broken pumps. Let's see if this visit translates into real action.
Respect for Pijush Hazarika for prioritizing irrigation. Assam's agriculture depends heavily on these lift irrigation projects, especially in areas not covered by the Brahmaputra's flooding. However, I'm curious about the electricity supply for these pumps – power cuts are common. Did they discuss solar alternatives? That could make it more sustainable.
Five decades of service is no joke! This scheme is a testament to the importance of long-term infrastructure planning. But I hope the minister also looks at newer challenges – climate change is altering rainfall patterns, and groundwater levels are dropping. Maybe they should consider integrating drip irrigation with this lift system to save water.
Good initiative, but a respectful criticism: these inspections should be unannounced to see the real situation. Pre-arranged visits often show only the best side. Also, 5,000 farmers is a large number – I hope the canal network is properly lined to prevent seepage. In Assam's alluvial soil, water loss can be significant.
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