Indira Gandhi Canal, which supplies water to the sandy desert of Rajasthan, is known as the lifeline of the state and 'Maru Ganga'. This canal increased the possibilities of irrigation, drinking water and agricultural development in many areas of western Rajasthan. The arrival of the canal in areas that once suffered from water shortage brought major changes in farming and rural life. Its story begins with the vision of an engineer who dreamed of bringing water to the desert.
The canal plan was prepared in 1948
The Indira Gandhi Canal Project was conceived by Kanwar Sen, an engineer from the princely state of Bikaner, in 1948. Their objective was to convey the water of the rivers of Punjab to the dry and desert areas of Rajasthan, so that the problem of irrigation and drinking water could be reduced here. At that time, farming in large parts of western Rajasthan was mainly dependent on rain. Agricultural production was limited due to low rainfall and lack of water. In such circumstances, the canal project was seen as an important plan for the development of the desert area.
Foundation stone laid on 31 March 1958
The construction work of Indira Gandhi Canal Project started on 31 March 1958. Its foundation stone was laid by the then Union Home Minister Govind Ballabh Pant. Initially this project was named 'Rajasthan Canal'. Water for the canal is taken from Harike Barrage located near the confluence of Sutlej and Beas rivers in Punjab. From there the water reaches the main canal of the state through Rajasthan feeder. The objective of this project was not only to deliver water to farms, but also to increase the availability of drinking water in desert areas and to boost economic activities.
Canal water reached for the first time in October 1961
The time of October 1961 is considered important in the history of the project. During this time, the supply of water to Rajasthan through canal started. According to available historical accounts, the then Vice President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan had released water into the canal near Naurangdesar in Hanumangarh area. After this, the expansion and construction work of the canal proceeded in different phases. With time, irrigation facilities were developed in the northern and western parts of Rajasthan.
Indira Gandhi Canal was named in 1984
Initially known as Rajasthan Canal, the name of this project was changed to 'Indira Gandhi Canal Project' on 2 November 1984. After this this name became popular. The project was expanded in two major phases. In the first phase, the emphasis was on benefiting the northern parts of Ganganagar, Hanumangarh and Bikaner. In the second phase the canal system was expanded to Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Barmer and other desert areas.
How did the canal change the desert areas of Rajasthan?
The Indira Gandhi Canal Project developed irrigation facilities in those areas where earlier water scarcity was a major challenge. Canal water helped in increasing agricultural production, supporting animal husbandry and providing drinking water in rural areas. However, it is also important to maintain proper management of water and environmental balance in the areas connected to the canal. Along with irrigation, problems like waterlogging and soil salinity have to be addressed so that the productivity of the land is maintained in the long run. Indira Gandhi Canal is not just an irrigation project, but an important story of the development of Rajasthan and the change in desert life. This effort, which started from the imagination of Kanwar Sen, is still deeply connected with the needs of water, farming and life in western Rajasthan.
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