OTHER DEPARTMENTS

IRRIGATION AND POWER DEPARTMENT

THE IRRIGATION AND POWER DEPARTMENT deals with major, medium and minor irrigation schemes, hydro-electric schemes and water supply and drainage schemes.

Introduction.

No major and medium irrigation schemes were undertaken in Kolaba district during the Second Five-Year Plan period. The work of investigation, preparation of plans and estimates and construction of minor irrigation works in Kolaba district is looked after by the Executive Engineer, Kolaba Division, with head quarters at Alibag. He works under the administrative control of the Superintending Engineer, Bombay Circle. There are two minor irrigation sub-divisions, viz., Kolaba Minor Irrigation Sub-division at Pen and Special Survey Sub-division at Karjat exclusively for minor irrigation schemes. The water supply and drainage schemes in the district are executed and looked after by Tinvira Rural Water Supply Sub-division, Alibag and Kharapat Area Water Supply Sub-division, Pen. These Sub-divisions are under the control of the Executive Engineer, Public Health Works Division, Bombay, who is responsible for working of the Division to the Superintending Engineer, Western Public Health Circle Poona.

Duties of Officers.

The Superintending Engineer is responsible to the Chief Engineer for the administration and general professional control of public works in charge of the department within his Circle. It is his duty to inspect the state of various works within his Circle with a view to ensure proper and efficient working of the depart-mental activities under him. The Executive Engineer is responsible to the Superintending Engineer for execution and management of all works within his Division. The Sub-Divisional Officers are responsible to the Executive Engineers in charge of the Divisions for the management and execution of works within their Sub-divisions. The overseers are in charge of sections under the Sub-Divisional Officers.

Irrigation Works.

Seventeen Minor Irrigation Works which irrigate 250 acres of land with an outlay of Rs. 1.10 lakhs have been completed during the first Five-Year Plan period and thus the projected irrigable area of 915 acres was brought under irrigation during the First Five-Year Plan. Details of the two works irrigating above 250 acres completed during the First Plan period are given below:―

During the Second Plan period the following three minor irrigation works were completed:―

One minor irrigation work, i.e., construction of a Bandhara at Mandle in Murud Peta will be undertaken during the Third Five-Year Plan.

One new medium irrigation project, i.e., the Kal River Project is included in the Third Five-Year Plan. The project envisages the utilisation of the tail waters from the Bhira Hydro-Electric Power Station and consists of (i) construction of a masonry diversion weir across the Kundalika near Dolvahal village in Roha taluka of Kolaba district, (ii) construction of Kundalika Right Bank Canal about 14 miles long irrigating about 3,000 acres, (iii) construction of Left Bank Canal and its branches (total mileage of about 60) irrigating about 16,000 acres of land in Kal and Kundalika river valleys and (iv) distribution system for the above canals for about 19,600 acres. The project is estimated to cost about Rs. 169 lakhs and is expected to irrigate about 19,600 acres- 4,200 acres in Roha taluka and 15,400 acres in Mangaon taluka of Kolaba district.

Water Supply and Drainage.

The main functions of Public Health Organisation are to plan and to execute Government and Municipal water supply and drainage schemes, to scrutinise and to supervise water supply and drainage schemes prepared and executed by local bodies through their own agencies, to give advice, so far as Public Health problems are concerned, to other departments of Government and to maintain waterworks either owned by Government or by local bodies but entrusted to Government for running at the cost of local bodies in the State. The only Government water supply scheme undertaken in the district is Janjira Water Works with an estimated cost of Rs. 93.600. The work envisages replacement of the existing old 4" dia. C. I. gravity main by 6" dia. C. I. main with a view to improving supply conditions. The total length of the main would be about 22,000 ft. The work is very nearly completed.

The following towns and villages are provided with piped water:―

Water supply to four villages of Narangi, Mankula, Bahirichapada is from Narangi Water Works which is owned and managed by Government. Water supply is on stand post basis.

Uran Water Works owned and managed by the District Local Board, Kolaba, supply water to the following villages:-

The water supply schemes at Mendadi and Borlai-Mandla are owned and managed by the respective Village Panchayats.

The following water supply schemes pertaining to local bodies have been entrusted to Government agency for execution:―

Estimated cost (Rs. in lakhs)

The above three schemes fall under National Water Supply and Sanitation Programme.

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