Due to non-adoption of 'vertical integration approach', the company created only branch canals in phase-II B, Phase-II C and SBC and no irrigation potential could be created.
Gujarat's most ambitious irrigation project, Sardar Sarovar Project', a mega dam project which has been under construction for the last four decades is being converted into a drinking water project by the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd (SSNNL).
This comment has been made by none other than the autonomous and respected audit agency Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in it's 'Commercial' assessment report of the Gujarat government for the year ended on March 31, 2009.
The CAG in an 'outcome audit on the irrigation component of SSP' by SSNNL observed that, "the completed length of the canal system was only 18,803 kms against the envisaged length of 90,389 kms.
Out of the total envisaged CCA of 18.29 lakh ha, the company so far has developed a CCA of 3.41 lakh ha of which the utilised CCA was 1.20 lakh ha only.
Due to non-adoption of 'vertical integration approach', the company created only branch canals in phase-II B, Phase-II C and SBC and no irrigation potential could be created. The company created irrigation potential in water-fed zones first and ignored the water-scare zones like Saurashtra and Kutch. In addition the company was slowly converting the "irrigation project into a drinking water project.''
The CAG has also found laxity on the part of the SSNNL in canal maintenance and repair works. "Even after investment of Rs18,515.58 crore in canal network, repairs and maintenance was not done," noted the CAG.
What is more glaring in the audit report is that the agency has still not framed a comprehensive irrigation policy.
There were also deficiencies in management of contracts like award of work before acquisition of requisite land, obtaining requisite clearances and finalising the construction stage drawings.
The audit agency has recommended a number of measures to bring the execution of the project on track and expedite the canal works and making a viable debt service plan to avoid huge financial burden on the Gujarat government.
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