National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development has approved Rs 162.11 crore to Haryana and Rs 120.51 crore to Punjab for developing rural infrastructure under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund.
Out of the total sanctioned amount to Haryana, Rs 149.54 crore has been given for 61 irrigation schemes and Rs 12.57 crore for building 38 bridges in rural areas. The irrigation projects involve works for improved water management and increasing intensity of irrigation and drainage works comprising 53 minor and 8 medium schemes in the following districts: Hisar, Kar Mahendragarh, Jind, Bhiwani, Ambala, Rewari, Mewat, Sirsa, Sonepat, Panipat and Rohtak.
The project will be implemented by Haryana Irrigation Department and will be ready by March 2011. The total cost of the project is Rs 171.62 crore of which Nabard's share will be Rs 149.54 crore. The project will irrigate nearly 53642.51 hectares and contribute to the economic progress of hinterland by improving crop production and employment.
The rural bridges by Haryana PWD have been sanctioned with total cost of Rs 16.49 crore of which Nabard's assistance will be Rs 12.57 crore.
Nabard has also approved Rs 120.51 crore for Punjab for lining of 4.500 km watercourses and construction of field channels falling under the command of Sirhind Feeder Canal System. The total cost of the project is Rs 405.58 crore of which Nabard share will be Rs 120.51 crore.