Patna, April 18: Work on the much-awaited Durgawati reservoir in Kaimur district resumed today after a gap of seven years. It is likely to become operational in two years.

The work on the project could only be resumed after the state water resources department complied with most of the conditions laid down by the Centre for approving the project.

Water resources minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary told The Telegraph: “The project holds great importance for farmers of Kaimur and Rohtas districts, as it would provide irrigation facilities to 33,000 hectares of arable land.”

He added: “The RJD government had triggered the problem by transferring 64.75 acres of forest land in Kaimur district for the Durgawati project without getting clearance from the ministry of forests and environment. This made the Centre stay the project and after that even the Supreme Court had stayed the project. The apex court also directed action against the state officials responsible for the transfer of the forestland without clearance from the ministry.”

Choudhary said: “In 2008, the Supreme Court directed the Bihar government to seek clearance from the central forests and environment department to start the project. According to the SC order, the Centre had given sanction for the project, setting 22 conditions for the state government to fulfil.”

Once known as the “rice-bowl” of Bihar, the area holds the potential to feed the entire state if irrigation facility is available.

The Durgawati project was conceptualised in 1975 and after hiccups, a major part of the work was completed in 2005. However, the commissioning of the project was not allowed as it was completed in violation of Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, and Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Once the matter was taken to the Supreme Court, it issued certain directives in the light of which the Centre laid down certain conditions for making the project operational.

Asked about the conditions, Choudhary said: “The first condition was related to the conversion of about 1,200 hectares of non-forest land into forestland, as the same area of forestland would be put in non-forest use once the project becomes operational.”

“Another issue dealt with adding an extra 600 hectares to the Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, which is the largest in the state. Of 1,200 hectares of forestland to be used for project-related work, 600 hectares belong to the sanctuary,” said Choudhary.

Asked about the completion of the work, Choudhary said: “We will not take much time in giving final touches to the project and it would be completed in the next two years. Most of the work has been completed and the only major work left is plugging the river mouth at the dam to help store water in the reservoir and supply to the canal system, which would be used for irrigation.”