The success of modernization of irrigation is reflected solely on the creation of additional facilities covering more areas, optimum use of water, changing of crop pattern and change in outlook of cultivators with a motive for commercial production. The Central Government recently sanctioned an amount of Rs 60.27 crore under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme for modernization of the Jamuna irrigation project in Nagaon district, which is one of the most viable irrigation projects of Asom. It may be mentioned here that as per information from a source of the department, on completion, the project would be able supply water to an additional 1,300 hectares of cultivable land, besides the existing 27,700 hectares. Recently the chief engineer, Irrigation Department, Asom, along with other departmental officials visited the site of the ongoing modernization of the project and expressed satisfaction over the works on canals, which is going in full swing. The team opined that water can be supplied at the end May this year. They also instructed the officers concerned to expedite the work so that the project may be completed before the deadline, as water supply by the canals was stopped due to renovation and the ongoing construction of hydraulic structures. The chief engineer also cautioned defaulting contactors, whose work is yet to start, by saying that there should be no compromise on quality of work and negligence will not be tolerated. He also said that he will personally visit the sites at any time and make surprise inspections. The chief engineer also expressed satisfaction with the work in Murajhar, Oujari areas, and said that unlike other irrigation projects in some places of India which he had visited where he saw hundred per cent lining of canals, in the Jamuna irrigation project, provision of canal lining was being made for only 29 km out of the 95-km length covering three distribution canals apart from 175 field canals. Meanwhile, the Irrigation Minister, Asom, has instructed the department officers to prepare an additional project report with provisions of lining of the entire earthen canal network and to submit it before the Central Government for approval. The minister also said that water cess will be made compulsory from this year to users of the irrigation project water and a registered water users' association would be formed for better water supply management. It may be noted here the Jamuna irrigation project was commissioned long back in 1969 and during the last four decades, it underwent wear and tear due to the excess stress it had been put to, and the system developed many defects till the scheme was approved by the Central Government in 2000. It has been reported earlier that lining works up and downstream of the drop structure as well as out flanking at the upstream of canal fall were in progress, which, when completed will not only prevent seepage loss, it will also reduce weed growth in the canals and also assure economical water distribution in the areas. In the main time, 1-km cement concrete work has been completed in Murajhar and Nilbagan areas while 2.5 km lining of canals is almost ready to carry water in Jorapukhuri-Hojai area. Partial lining in Dabaka and Howraghat has also been taken up and 95 per cent of the work has been completed. According to a department source, in the third phase, about 23 km earth work, more than 4 km lining, 1.5 km cement concrete work in Rajapathar and Bokalia section is almost complete and 220 hydraulic structures, RCC slab culverts, regulator, aqueduct have already been completed, which is equivalent to over 50 per cent of the overall scheme of modernization. It has been, however, alleged that a few contractors are yet to start their allotted work, while a few of them left without completing their allotted work. Moreover, local problems and frequent bandh calls have badly affected the progress of work.