The Indira Gandhi Canal, also known as the Rajasthan Canal, is the longest canal in India. It runs from the Harike Barrage near Harike in Punjab to the Thar Desert in the northwest of Rajasthan state. This canal is considered to be the lifeline for northern and western Rajasthan districts, providing irrigation and drinking water to 1.75 crore people. The canal is now being closed for repair and relining of feeders, which is expected to have a significant impact on the people in the region.
History of Indira Gandhi Canal
The idea for the Indira Gandhi Canal was conceived by hydraulic engineer Kanwar Sain in the late 1940s. In 1960, the Indus Water Treaty was signed between India and Pakistan, which gave India the right to use the waters of three rivers: the Satluj, Beas, and Ravi. The proposed Rajasthan Canal envisaged using 7.6 million acre feet of this water. The canal was renamed the Indira Gandhi Canal on 2 November 1984, following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Benefits of Indira Gandhi Canal
- The Indira Gandhi Canal has provided irrigation water to an arid area in Rajasthan starting from Ganganagar district to Jaisalmer along the Indo-Pakistan border.
- The canal has helped turn an important part of the Thar desert into an agricultural area, and animal husbandry has also flourished.
- The canal also supplies drinking water to the towns and villages in the region and has helped in the urbanization of the area.
- The spread of irrigated agriculture has halted the spreading of sand dunes, increased the tree cover, and brought about a change in the overall ecology.
- Lastly, the canal serves as a barrier to military invasion from the Pakistani side in case of armed conflict.
Impact of Closure of Indira Gandhi Canal
The closure of the Indira Gandhi Canal for repair and relining of feeders will have a significant impact on the people in northern and western Rajasthan. The closure of the canal is expected to affect the drinking and irrigation needs of 1.75 crore people in the state. The areas that will be affected the most are Barmer, Bikaner, Churu, Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Sriganganagar. The closure of the canal is likely to lead to water scarcity, which could impact agriculture, animal husbandry, and the availability of drinking water in the region.
The closure of the canal will also have an impact on the economy of the region. Agriculture is a major source of income for people in the area, and the closure of the canal could lead to crop failures and a decrease in the production of agricultural goods. In addition, the availability of drinking water could be affected, which could lead to health problems for people in the region.
Why In News
The closure of the Indira Gandhi Canal, which is expected to last for several months, is likely to create a water shortage in the region, especially during the hot summer months. Farmers and residents are already feeling the effects of the shutdown, with many worried about the impact on their crops and livelihoods.
MCQs on Role of Indira Gandhi Canal
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What is the Indira Gandhi Canal also known as?
A. Rajasthan Canal
B. Beas Canal
C. Ravi Canal
D. Satluj Canal
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Who conceived the idea for the Indira Gandhi Canal?
A. Indira Gandhi
B. Kanwar Sain
C. Rajiv Gandhi
D. Manmohan Singh
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What is the expected impact of the closure of the Indira Gandhi Canal?
A. Increase in crop production
B. Availability of drinking water
C. Decrease in the production of agricultural goods
D. Improvement in the overall ecology
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Which areas will be affected the most by the closure of the canal?
A. Jodhpur and Barmer
B. Jaipur and Ajmer
C. Udaipur and Kota
D. Jaisalmer and Hanumangarh
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