Vice-chairman of Narmada Valley Development Authority and Additional Chief Secretary Shri O.P. Rawat has informed that all the formalities have been almost completed to start the work of two major irrigation projects of the state. Shri Rawat informed that environmental and other sanctions have been received for Halon project in Jabalpur district, which will irrigate 11,736 hectare area and Upper Narmada Project in Dindori district, which has the capacity to irrigate 18,616 hectares of land. Work on these projects will be started this year itself after receipt of approval of the Planning Commission. Shri Rawat gave this information during a meeting of the advisory committee of Narmada Valley Development Department here today. Committee members MLAs Shri Balkrishna Patidar and Smt. Neeta Pateriya were also present at the meeting. MLA Shri Balkrishna Patidar sought information about the progress of Khargone Lift Irrigation project under Indira Sagar Project which has the capacity to irrigate 24,000 hectares of land. Shri Rawat informed that its work will be started after the rainy season. MLA Smt. Neeta Pateriya presented her suggestions about Rani Avantibai and Bargi diversion projects. Smt. Pateriya urged that the cases of transfer of daily wager women workers should be considered on humanitarian grounds keeping their personal problems in view. The vice-chairman informed that the survey work of Sher and Machherwa projects in Narsinghpur district and Shakkar project in Chhindwara project is under way. Besides, structures of Upper Beda project in Khargone district having 9,848 hectare irrigation capacity and its canal having the capacity to irrigate 2,900 hectares of land are complete. Water in this dam is not being filled since a case is pending in a court in this connection. The work will be undertaken only as per the court's orders. Those also present at the meeting included members of Narmada Valley Development Authority Shri Rajneesh Vaishya (rehabilitation), Shri Ramesh Chandra (finance), Shri K.N. Agrawal (engineering) and Shri M.K. Jain (energy) and the chief engineer.