Gujarat government has approved a proposal to lay a pipeline network of sub-minor canals to irrigate 5 lakh hectares of agricultural land in 54 talukas, which fall under the command area of the Narmada canal network of the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP).

The proposal to lay underground pipeline network for 54 talukas was approved here today at a state cabinet meeting chaired by Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel.

"Earlier, the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNL) made a proposal to lay pipelines instead of building sub-minor canals to fetch Naramda waters into the fields for irrigation. Today, the state cabinet approved that proposal," said Gujarat government spokesperson Nitin Patel said after the cabinet meeting.

Gujarat's Narmada canal network is divided into four major parts, starting from the Narmada main canal, branch canals, minor canals and sub-minor canals.

"Sub-minor canals have a width of around one feet. We found that these canals tends to break frequently, as tractors and other vehicles pass. These canals also obstruct movement of farmers as well as vehicles. An underground pipeline will prove more practical and reliable," Patel said.

In the first phase, the pipeline network would irrigate 5 lakh hectare of land in 54 talukas in Gujarat.

After completion of the first phase within the next three to four months, other talukas would be added in subsequent phases, the minister said.

"The estimated cost of this project is Rs 2,000 crore, out of which, the government will bear 90 per cent of the cost, while beneficiary farmers have to bear 10 per cent of the cost. Instead of paying cash, they can also contribute by providing manpower as well as vehicles during the work," Patel said.

He said this would save the government the hassle of acquiring land for canals as well as speed up the work which has been pending for several years.