3. Progress in Planning and Construction of Hatcheries

Table 1 shows progress in site selection, planning and construction of hatcheries as of March, 1984.

Table 1
Progress in Planning and Construction of Hatcheries March, 1984

		West Bengal	Bihar	Madhya Pradesh	Uttar Pradesh	Orissa	Total
1.	Total number of hatcheries to be constructed	9	6	4	4	4	27
2.	Total hatchery pond area (ha)	150	90	70	55	70	435
3.	Number of sites identified	15	11	5	10	6	47
4.	Number of sites selected	10	8	4	5	5	32
5.	Outline plans approved (No.)	8	6	4	4	4	26
6.	Detailed plans approved (No.)	7	6	4	4	4	25
7.	Tenders issued (No.)	4	2	3	4	4	17
8.	Tenders awarded (No.)	4	2	2	4	4	16
9.	Hatcheries under construction (No.)	4	2	2	4	3	15
9.	Total pond area (ha)	70	20	35	40	34	199
10.	Partial operation of hatcheries expected by June 1984 (No.)	3	2	2	3	3	13
	Total pond area (ha)	45	20	35	30	34	164
	Percentage of item 1	33	33	50	75	75	48
	Percentage of item 2	30	22	50	55	50	38
11.	No. of hatcheries expected to be completed¹
	- by June 1984	1	2	1	3	1	8
	total pond area (ha)	10	20	25	30	14	99
	percentage of item 1	11	33	25	75	25	29
	percentage of item 2	7	22	36	55	20	23
	- by December 1984	3	2	2	3	3	13
	total pond area (ha)	45	20	35	30	34	164
	percentage of item 1	33	33	50	75	75	48
	percentage of item 2	30	22	50	55	50	38

¹ In order to complete the hatcheries by the expected date, FSDCs in West Bengal and Bihar must provide a project car to the Chief Project Engineers, as done in Orissa and Uttar Pradesh. In Bihar the required technical support should be provided to the Chief Project Engineer in order that site selections and works to be completed can be carried out as soon as possible in accordance with the detailed plans. Also that more effectual supervision is made on the construction of hatcheries to ensure better progress and quality of workmanship than found at the sites of the hatcheries.

3.1 Site Selection

27 hatcheries have to be constructed in the five project States, covering 435 ha in total area. There were 47 sites identified, of which 29 have been selected for the construction of hatcheries, with a total area of 397.4 ha. Hatcheries have been selected in each state; however, apart from Orissa, the proposed pond areas have still to be decided upon.

West Bengal

Ten sites have been selected with a total area of 129 ha (86 percent of the proposed area of 150 ha) - Manikpara (10 ha), Jamunadighi (25 ha), Paccamati-Mohalla (10 ha), Sakrial (25 ha), Jhanjra (10 ha), Dhokasdah (9 ha), Kamalpur (10 ha), Singur (10 ha), Perua Gopalpur (10 ha) and Egra Patna (10 ha). Perua Gopalpur was rejected because of its unsatisfactory ground water potential.

Bihar

Eight sites have been selected with a total area of 78.4 ha (87 percent) - Bhusaula Danapur (10 ha), Raghopur Bakhari (10 ha), Mahinathpur (10 ha), Gaura (8.4 ha), Ashrari 10 ha), Rampur Dighra (10 ha), Barwat Farm (10 ha), and Khiriahi (10 ha).

Gaura has been abandoned due to problems in land acquisition.

Rampur Dighra has been rejected as this site cannot be drained by gravity.

Barwat Farm is not suitable for construction of a hatchery as the daily seepage losses in the test pond built at the site are very high (20–13 cm a day). An alternative site is therefore recommended.

Khiriahi has been abandoned due to the site being occupied by brick kilns.

Considering that it is very difficult to find other suitable sites for construction of hatcheries in the project districts in Bihar, the Consultant therefore recommends that:

the Mahinathpur hatchery site should be converted into a 25 ha hatchery as proposed in November 1982
the investigations for site selection have to be extended to the neighbouring districts of the project area where the soil and drainage conditions are much better for pond construction and less problems may be met in land acquisition.

Madhya Pradesh

A total of four sites have been selected with a total area of 70 ha (100%) - Salud (10 ha), Demar (25 ha), Chandkuri (25 ha) and Umrar (10 ha).

Umrar has to be abandoned as the lowest bid for this hatchery was exceptionally high (Rs. 57.5 lakhs). This site, therefore will not be at all economical, also as the daily water losses in the test pond were much higher (18 to 19 cm) than the acceptable 2 cm. Depending on the results of soil and topographic surveys, the hatchery may be built on one of the alternative sites identified along the existing irrigation canal.

Uttar Pradesh

Five sites have been selected with a total area of 50 ha (91%) - Soraon Pati (10 ha), Gomati nagar (10 ha), Pagla Bhari (10 ha), Pipriach (10 ha), and Phoolpur (10 ha).

Phoolpur has had to be rejected due to the existing underground pipelines. One additional site may be investigated as proposed by the Consultant.

Orissa

The proposed total area of 70 ha (100%) was selected in five sites - Binika (10 ha), Chiplima (10 ha), Saramanga (14 ha), Bhanjanagar (25 ha), and Baya Sagar (11 ha).