Indira Gandhi Canal Project is one of the largest irrigation projects in India. It is also called the lifeline of Rajasthan. This canal has changed the picture of agriculture, drinking water and economic development by providing water to the vast desert areas of western Rajasthan.
Beginnings and history
The Indira Gandhi Canal Project was conceived to address the water crisis in the dry areas of Rajasthan after independence. The construction of this project started in the year 1958. Earlier it was known as Rajasthan Canal Project. In the year 1984, it was renamed Indira Gandhi Canal Project in the memory of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
The main source of water in this canal is Harike Barrage, from where water from Sutlej and Beas rivers is taken. This canal passes through Punjab and reaches the desert areas of Rajasthan.
Which areas get benefits
The western districts of Rajasthan have benefited the most from the Indira Gandhi Canal Project. Through this, irrigation facility has reached Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and surrounding areas.
In areas where earlier only sand dunes were visible, wheat, cotton, mustard, sugarcane and other crops have now started being cultivated.
Canal features
- The length of the Indira Gandhi Canal Project is approximately more than 650 kilometers.
- It is among the largest man-made irrigation systems in the world.
- This provides irrigation facility to lakhs of hectares of land.
- It is also the major source of drinking water for many cities and villages of Rajasthan.
Contribution to the development of Rajasthan
With the arrival of this canal, agricultural production increased in western Rajasthan and people got new employment opportunities. Farming became possible in many villages and population grew in desert areas.
Apart from this, the canal also strengthened animal husbandry, industry and the local economy. Tourism and development activities in areas like Jaisalmer and Bikaner also got indirect benefits.
Challenges
However, the Indira Gandhi Canal Project is also facing many problems. Problems like shortage of water, siltation in canals, waterlogging and increasing salinity in the soil have come to the fore. To solve these problems, maintenance and modernization of canals is done from time to time.