Give an account of Irrigation Projects of Uttar Pradesh in detail with suitable examples

Give an account of Irrigation Projects of Uttar Pradesh in detail with suitable examples

Uttar Pradesh (UP) is one of the most fertile states of India. A large part of its economy depends on agriculture. The land of the state is flat and is watered by great rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, Ghaghara, Gomti, Rapti, Saryu, and Ramganga. But rainfall in the state is not always regular. Some years there is too much rain, while in some years there is very little rain. Because of this, farmers cannot depend only on monsoon. They need water for crops throughout the year. That is why irrigation projects have been developed in Uttar Pradesh. These projects supply water to fields by canals, reservoirs, dams, and tube wells. Irrigation projects are important because they help in growing crops like wheat, rice, sugarcane, pulses, and vegetables. They also help in flood control, power generation, and water supply for industries. we will give a detailed account of the irrigation projects of Uttar Pradesh with suitable examples.

Types of Irrigation in Uttar Pradesh

Before talking about projects, let us understand the main sources of irrigation in the state:

1.Canal Irrigation – UP has the largest canal network in India. Canals take water from rivers and spread it across fields.

2.Tube wells – Since groundwater is rich in the state, tube wells are widely used for irrigation.

3.Wells and Tanks – Traditional sources, though less important today.

4.Ponds and Lakes – Useful in rural areas for small-scale irrigation.

5.Lift Irrigation – Pumping water from rivers and canals to higher lands.

Among these, canal irrigation projects are the most important. Let us discuss them in detail.

Major Irrigation Projects of Uttar Pradesh

1. Upper Ganga Canal Project

  • Started in 1854, it is one of the oldest canal systems in India.
  • It takes water from the Ganga River at Haridwar and passes through districts like Meerut, Muzaffarnagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Etah, and Mainpuri.
  • It irrigates about 9 lakh hectares of land.
  • It has helped western UP become a rich agricultural area, famous for sugarcane and wheat.

2. Lower Ganga Canal Project

  • Constructed in 1878.
  • It begins from Narora in Bulandshahr district and goes through districts like Farrukhabad, Etawah, Kanpur, and Hardoi.
  • It irrigates about 15 lakh hectares of land.
  • This canal is useful for crops like rice, wheat, and pulses.

3. Sharda Canal Project

  • Built after the partition of India when much of the canal system of Punjab went to Pakistan.
  • Water is taken from the Sharda River (a tributary of the Ghaghara).
  • It irrigates districts like Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Hardoi, and Bahraich.
  • It is especially important for the Terai region of UP.

4. Betwa Canal Project

  • The Betwa River originates from Madhya Pradesh but enters UP near Jhansi.
  • The canal project was completed in 1885.
  • It irrigates areas of Jhansi, Jalaun, and Hamirpur.
  • Useful for dry Bundelkhand region where rainfall is low.

5. Sarda Sahayak Canal Project

  • This is the largest irrigation project of UP.
  • It was started in 1962 and completed in the 1970s.
  • It takes water from the Ghaghara River and irrigates about 16 lakh hectares of land.
  • It covers districts like Barabanki, Raebareli, Unnao, Lucknow, and Pratapgarh.
  • It is a lifeline for central UP.

6. Agra Canal Project

  • Built in 1874.
  • Water is taken from the Yamuna River near Okhla (Delhi).
  • It irrigates Agra, Mathura, Aligarh, and Bharatpur (Rajasthan).
  • It is important for western UP farmers.

7. Rohini Dam Project

  • A joint project of UP and Nepal.
  • Built on the Rohini River.
  • Supplies irrigation water to Gorakhpur and Maharajganj districts.
  • It also helps in flood control.

8. Rajghat Canal Project

  • Built on the Betwa River near Lalitpur.
  • It is a joint project of UP and Madhya Pradesh.
  • Provides irrigation to Bundelkhand districts like Jhansi, Jalaun, and Hamirpur.

9. Rihand Dam Project

  • Built in 1962 on the Rihand River, a tributary of the Son River, in Mirzapur-Sonbhadra region.
  • This is a multipurpose project – it provides irrigation, generates hydroelectric power, and supplies water to industries.
  • It irrigates districts like Mirzapur, Chandauli, and Sonbhadra.

10. Matatila Dam Project

  • Built on the Betwa River between Jhansi (UP) and Lalitpur (MP).
  • Completed in 1958.
  • Provides water for irrigation and also produces electricity.
  • Important for the drought-prone Bundelkhand region.

11. Ghaghra Canal Project

  • Takes water from the Ghaghra (Karnali) River.
  • Irrigates areas of Bahraich, Gonda, and Faizabad.
  • Useful in eastern UP where rainfall is uncertain.

12. Other Small Projects

Apart from the big projects, there are many medium and small irrigation schemes in UP. Some of them are:

  • Chandraprabha Dam (Chandauli district)
  • Kanshiram Canal Project
  • Bansagar Project (shared with MP and Bihar)
  • Pattharwa Dam in Gorakhpur
  • Arjun Dam in Banda

These projects may be small but are very useful for local farmers.

Importance of Irrigation Projects in UP

1.Agricultural Growth – Wheat, rice, sugarcane, and vegetables are grown throughout the year.

2.Green Revolution – Western UP became a leading area during the Green Revolution because of canal irrigation.

3.Flood Control – Dams and canals help in controlling floods in eastern UP.

4.Employment – Construction and maintenance of projects give jobs.

5.Power Generation – Multipurpose projects like Rihand and Matatila produce electricity.

6.Balanced Development – Irrigation projects help poor regions like Bundelkhand and Terai to develop.

Problems in Irrigation Projects

  • Silt in Canals – Reduces water supply.
  • Waterlogging and Salinity – Excess irrigation damages soil.
  • Unequal Distribution – Western UP has better canals, but Bundelkhand and eastern UP still face water shortage.
  • Maintenance Issues – Old canals like Upper Ganga and Lower Ganga need repair.
  • Overuse of Tube Wells – Causes fall in groundwater level.

Government Efforts

  • New schemes like Har Khet Ko Pani, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY), and Minor Irrigation Projects are being promoted.
  • Efforts are being made to modernize canals with lining to stop leakage.
  • Farmers are encouraged to use drip irrigation and sprinklers to save water.
  • Interlinking of rivers like Ken-Betwa Project is being planned to help Bundelkhand.

Uttar Pradesh has a rich history of irrigation projects, from the British-built Upper Ganga Canal to modern projects like Sarda Sahayak. These projects have made UP one of the leading agricultural states of India. They have not only helped in crop production but also in power generation, flood control, and development of rural areas.

However, there are still challenges like unequal water supply, old canal systems, and overuse of groundwater. With proper planning, modernization, and new projects, irrigation in UP can become even more effective. A balanced and scientific use of water will make sure that farmers get regular supply, agriculture grows, and the state remains the food bowl of India.