Impact of the Indira Gandhi Canal

Related Terms and Definitions

Irrigation:...

Indira Gandhi Canal – the Largest Irrigation Canal in India

The Indira Gandhi Canal, also known as the Rajasthan Canal, is the largest irrigation canal in India. It is located in Rajasthan’s arid Thar Desert and was completed in 1987. The 649 km canal, which extends into Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, has its starting and terminus at the Harike Barrage in Punjab. At a flow rate of 1133 cubic metres per second, the canal can irrigate 1.8 million hectares of land....

History and Construction

Sir Ganga Ram originally suggested the Indira Gandhi Canal, commonly referred to as the Rajasthan Canal, in 1920. The Rajasthan Canal Project was the name given to the undertaking by the Indian government in the 1950s. The Rajasthan Canal Construction Department started work on the project in 1958. Almost 125 million cubic metres of earth had to be removed for the project, and various distributaries, barrages, and other water-controlling structures had to be built. Workers had to use dynamite to blast the rocks in order to unearth the ground due to the difficult topography of the Thar desert. The project encountered numerous difficulties, such as delays and cost overruns, but was eventually finished in 1987 and given the new name Indira Gandhi Canal Project in memory of the late Indian Prime Minister. The barren areas of Rajasthan have been converted into rich fields thanks to the Indira Gandhi Canal, one of the world’s largest irrigation canals. Millions of farmers and agricultural labourers now have a means of subsistence thanks to the canal, which has also helped the region’s agro-based industries grow. The undertaking stands as an example of human tenacity and endurance in the face of difficulty....

Features of the Indira Gandhi Canal:

Length: 649 km    Capacity: 1133 cubic meters per second    Irrigates: 1.8 million hectares of land    Starts from: Harike Barrage in Punjab    Terminates at: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan    Brings water to the regions of Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Barmer, and Nagaur    Has many branches and distributaries to supply water to different areas    Supports agriculture, fisheries, and livestock farming    Provides drinking water to the people of the region    Boosts the local economy by creating job opportunities and supporting agro-based industries    Offers opportunities for tourism with several tourist attractions located along its route...

Impact of the Indira Gandhi Canal:

Turned the dry, arid soil into productive fields Supported the growth of fisheries, agriculture, and cattle farming Provided the region’s residents with drinking water after they had previously experienced water scarcity Facilitated the growth of agro-based enterprises and provided employment opportunities. Raised the region’s population’s standard of living Promoted tourism and increased agricultural output to strengthen the local economy....

Benefits of the Indira Gandhi Canal:

Delivers water for drinking, agriculture, and other uses. Promotes the growth of fisheries, agriculture, and cattle farming Provides employment opportunities and encourages the growth of agro-based industries Raises the region’s population’s standard of living Enhances the region’s economy by boosting agricultural productivity and fostering tourism Through the production of hydropower, offers a source of green energy....

Drawbacks of the Indira Gandhi Canal:

Requires a lot of water, which could cause water shortages and environmental damage. Due to the building of salts in the soil, it may induce soil salinization, which in some regions may result in waterlogging and soil erosion. Maintains the canal and related structures in excellent shape will cost a lot of money.   May have adverse impacts on the ecology of the region due to changes in water availability and quality...

Sample Questions and Answers

Que 1. How has Rajasthan’s economic growth been impacted by the Indira Gandhi Canal?...