January 7 (SeeNews) - The Romanian government said on Tuesday it has approved a draft bill setting up an authority which will manage the implementation of the Siret-Baragan irrigation canal project, paving the way for construction works on the canal to restart.
The government expects the value of the crops alongside the canal, located in the country's southeast, to increase by some 120 million euro ($163.5 million) per year following the completion of the project, the cabinet said in a statement.
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The Authority for the Management of the Siret-Baragan Canal will carry out the necessary technical and economical studies and will be in charge with acquiring consultancy services for the project's implementation. It will also acquire the necessary equipment and will provide maintenance services after the canal's completion.
The investment needed for the construction of the 190-kilometre canal is estimated at 2.6 billion euro and might be co-financed with EU funds, local media reported in 2012.
The project dates back to 1987 when works on the first 50 kilometres began. The investment in the entire canal, including irrigation facilities, was estimated at 3.6 billion euro in 2003, according to data from the agriculture ministry's website.
The government has reviewed the project plans several times in the last 20 years but no further steps were taken for its implementation.
The Siret-Baragan canal's flow rate is projected at between 50 and 200 cubic metres per second. The canal will secure water for irrigation, reduce flood risks and provide a water route for goods transportation.
($=0.7342 euro)