Gujarat: Irrigation and Hydropower | Gujarat State PSC (GPSC) Preparation: All subjects - GPSC (Gujarat) PDF Download

Water Resources of Gujarat State

Gujarat's water resources can be broadly categorized into two types:

1. Surface Water and
2. Underground Water

Surface Water Resources

• The primary source of water in Gujarat is surface water. The state has 185 river basins, providing a total water availability of 55,608 million cubic meters. Of this, 38,100 million cubic meters is surface water, which constitutes only 2% of the entire surface water resources of the country. 
• The distribution of surface water in Gujarat is uneven: Gujarat accounts for 89% of the water resources, Saurashtra for 9%, and Kutch for 2%. However, these regions represent 45%, 31%, and 24% of the total geographical area of the state, respectively.

Underground Water Resources

• The state also has underground water resources amounting to 17,508 million cubic meters. Both surface and underground water are utilized for various purposes, including drinking, industry, agriculture, hydropower, and fisheries. 
• Approximately 80% of the water resources are used for agricultural production, with irrigation playing a crucial role.

Details of Surface and Groundwater Resources

• Geographical Area: Gujarat covers a total geographical area of 196 lakh hectares, with 124.5 lakh hectares being cultivable land.
• Irrigation Progress: Before independence, only 51,000 hectares in Gujarat had irrigation facilities. By the end of the second Five-Year Plan in 1960-61, irrigation was extended to 4.04 lakh hectares. Initially, the maximum irrigation usage was limited to 1.77 lakh hectares. However, with the state prioritizing irrigation potential creation, this has expanded to 51.00 lakh hectares, with maximum irrigation usage reaching 44.00 lakh hectares.
• Regional Challenges: North Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Kutch are prone to scarcity and famine, often occurring every two to three years. In contrast, South Gujarat frequently faces floods, causing significant damage to life and property, with valuable water resources often draining into the ocean. Severe famines were experienced in the state during 1972-73, 1985-88, and 1999-2000.

Measures to Address Water Scarcity

To tackle water scarcity and improve water management, the state has implemented several measures:

• Drinking Water Supply: In 2001, pipelines were installed to supply drinking water to scarcity-hit areas in Bhal, Ahmedabad, and parts of Bhavnagar, Amreli, and Junagadh from the Mahi River. A pipeline from Raska Weir to Kotarpur Water Works was also constructed to provide drinking water to Ahmedabad. Additionally, a 113.17 km long pipeline from the Narmada main canal is being developed to supply drinking water to various areas.
• Irrigation Development: The state has prioritized the creation of water resources through check-dams, small, medium, and large irrigation schemes. These efforts aim to maximize water availability and optimize irrigation use.
• Water Conservation: Farmers are encouraged to adopt water conservation practices, such as using alternative shift systems for irrigation and employing underground and surface water resources wisely.
• Evaporation Prevention: Efforts are made to prevent water loss through evaporation in reservoirs located in famine-prone areas with low storage capacity.
• Water Harvesting: Water harvesting structures, particularly check dams, are being constructed wherever possible to capture and store every drop of water.
• Irrigation Planning: The state ensures that drinking water needs are considered during the planning stages of irrigation projects proposed under the National Water Policy.
• Inter-Basin Water Transfer: Plans are being developed for inter-basin water transfer through link canals.
• Sujalam-Sufalam Scheme: The state is working to prevent water from the Kadana reservoir from being drained during the monsoon and instead divert it to spreading canals to recharge underground water levels.

Historical and Ongoing Irrigation Projects

• Before independence, Gujarat had only two large-scale irrigation projects: the Hathmati Project and the Kharicut Project. After independence, several major irrigation projects were initiated, including Shetrunji, Dantiwada, Kakrapar Weir, Ukai, Kadana, Dharoi, and Vanakbori Weir. 
• By the end of 2012-13, the state had completed 19 major and 70 medium irrigation projects, along with over 1,000 minor irrigation projects. Additionally, nearly 1,59,000 check dams were constructed under the Water Conservation Project. Gujarat is committed to completing various ongoing irrigation schemes to benefit tribal communities in remote areas and to extend irrigation benefits to farmers across the state.

Water Resources Development

• The total potential for irrigation using surface water is estimated at 47.88 lakh hectares, with 17.92 lakh hectares attributed to the Sardar Sarovar (Narmada) Project. Groundwater resources suggest an additional 20.04 lakh hectares could be irrigated. This sums up to a combined ultimate irrigation potential of 67.92 lakh hectares.
• As of June 2016, 88.14% of the ultimate irrigation potential through surface water has been developed. However, the actual utilization stands at 67.00% of the created irrigation potential.

Details of Irrigation Potential

• The ultimate irrigation potential through surface water resources is 47.88 lakh hectares, including the contribution of the Sardar Sarovar (Narmada) Project.
• Groundwater reservoirs indicate a further 20.04 lakh hectares could be brought under irrigation, totaling the ultimate potential to 67.92 lakh hectares.
• Up to June 2016, 88.14% of the potential from surface water has been harnessed, with only 67.00% of the total irrigation potential being utilized.

Participatory Irrigation Management in Gujarat

Legislation and Scope

• Legal Framework: Gujarat Water Users Participatory Irrigation Management Act-2007: The government of Gujarat has enacted the Gujarat Water Users Participatory Irrigation Management Act-2007 to expand Participatory Irrigation Management across the state.
• Area and Associations Covered: By March 2016, 542,542 hectares and 1,769 Water Users Associations were included in the initiative. By September 2016, an additional 13,134 hectares and 63 Water Users Associations were brought under this scheme, totaling 555,676 hectares and 1,832 Water Users Associations covered by September 2016.
• Expansion Progress: The government aims to maximize coverage of command areas under Participatory Irrigation Management, enhancing water distribution efficiency and agricultural productivity.

Reservoir Levels in Gujarat

• As of December 2, 2016, there were a total of 203 dams in Gujarat with a combined storage capacity of 15,774.24 million cubic meters.
• Out of these, 45 dams in the Gujarat region (encompassing south, north, and central Gujarat) had a storage capacity of 12,905.15 million cubic meters.
• Additionally, 20 dams in the Kachchh region had a storage capacity of 332.02 million cubic meters, and 138 dams in the Saurashtra region had a storage capacity of 2,537.07 million cubic meters.
• On December 2, 2016, the total water stored in these reservoirs was 11,643.13 million cubic meters, which was at 73.81% of the total storage capacity.

Sardar Sarovar Project

• The Sardar Sarovar Project is a multipurpose initiative that involves the construction of a concrete gravity dam across the Narmada River in Narmada District. The project includes two power houses: the River Bed Power House (RBPH) and the Canal Head Power House (CHPH), with a combined installed capacity of 1,450 MW. Additionally, it features a 458 km long main canal, which has a discharge capacity of 40,000 cusecs at its starting point and 2,500 cusecs at the Gujarat-Rajasthan border, along with an extensive water distribution network spanning 71,748 km for irrigation.
• The project is expected to deliver irrigation benefits to over 75 talukas across 17 districts in the state. It is also designed to supply water to more than 9,490 villages and 173 townships for domestic and industrial use. Notably, about three-fourths of the command area under this project is classified as drought-prone by the Irrigation Commission.
• The revised cost estimate for this project, based on 2014-15 prices, stands at Rs. 54,772.93 crore. By the end of March 2016, a cumulative expenditure of Rs. 52,790.60 crore had been incurred, including Rs. 37,127.87 crore on work components. During the fiscal year 2016-17 (up to October 2016), an additional expenditure of Rs. 3,495.52 crore was incurred, with Rs. 3,296.15 crore allocated to work components. Consequently, the total cumulative expenditure on this project up to October 2016 reached Rs. 56,286.12 crore, with Rs. 40,424.02 crore spent on work components.
• The revised cost estimate of Rs. 54,772.93 crore at the 2014-15 price level was approved during a meeting of the Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India.
• Command Area Development: A new policy for the construction of sub-minors offers two options: the Open Channel Gravity (OCG) system and the Underground Pipe Line System (UGPL). Over the past 18 months, more than 6 lakh farmers have been consulted, and tripartite agreements have been executed. As a result, 5.91 lakh hectares have been developed for irrigation using the UGPL system between April 2015 and November 2016. An additional 5 lakh hectares are planned to be covered by the end of the 2017-18 year. This progress is unprecedented in the history of irrigation infrastructure development in India.

Different Irrigation Schemes

Various irrigation schemes have been implemented to address water needs in India post-independence.

Narmada Project

• After India gained independence, a survey was conducted to explore the possibility of constructing a dam on the Narmada River. In 1979, the Narmada Water Dispute Commission approved the dam's height up to 455 feet. Construction commenced after receiving approval from the Environment Department in 1987 and the Planning Commission in 1988. 
• During the 76th meeting of the Narmada Control Authority held in New Delhi on March 8, 2006, approval was granted to increase the height of the spillway block from 110.64 meters to 121.92 meters. The work began on March 9, 2006, and was completed by December 31, 2006. Upon completion, the project is expected to provide irrigation facilities to 15 districts, 73 talukas, and 3,137 villages, covering an area of 17.92 lakh hectares. Additionally, the project will supply drinking water to 8,215 villages and 135 urban areas.

Kalpsar Project

• The Kalpsar Project is an ambitious initiative by the Gujarat State Government to harness the surplus waters of the Narmada, Mahi, and Sabarmati rivers, which currently flow into the ocean. This multi-purpose, long-term project aims to extend the benefits of the Sardar Sarovar (Narmada) Project to the people of Gujarat. 
• The project involves the use of surplus waters from the rivers of Central Gujarat, including the Sabarmati, Mahi, Dhadhar, and Narmada, and will require substantial financial investment, skilled engineering work, and new technology. The waters will be stored in the Bay of Khambhat, and the project is expected to generate 5,880 MW of tidal power and supply 90 crore cubic meters of drinking water annually to a population of 3.6 crore people across a 10.545 lakh hectare area. Additionally, the project will create a transport facility between Dahej and Ghogha, significantly reducing the distance between Saurashtra and Central Gujarat by approximately 225 kilometers.

Sujalam-Sufalam Scheme

• The Sujalam-Sufalam Scheme in Gujarat aims to provide a lasting solution to water and food issues in the region. This ambitious project by the State Government targets resolving longstanding famine problems in 10 districts lacking irrigation facilities.
• Planning a 337 km Sujalam Sufalam Spreading Canal from Kadan dam to Banas River Basin to revive 21 rivers and numerous ponds.
• Filling nine reservoirs in North Gujarat with 1 million acre-feet of water by transporting it from the Narmada Main Canal through pipelines.
• Development of a distribution line network connecting the Narmada Main Canal and Sujalam Sufalam Canal.
• Enhancing irrigation facilities in two tribal districts, Panchmahal and Dahod, through Kadana Left Bank High Level Canal and Panam Reservoir High Level Canal.
• Addressing irrigation challenges in Katch by constructing 1000 check dams, 15 tidal regulators, 33 weirs, 19 recharge ponds, and 150 recharge wells.
• Channeling Narmada river water to arid lands of Surendranagar to rejuvenate the dry basin with the construction of 107 new large check dams across 17 rivers.

Check-Dam Work

• After the famine years from 1986-87 to 1989 and the subsequent irregular and scarce rainfall in the following years, the limited systems for recharging underground water and the reduction of surface water resources led to an increasing reliance on underground water in Gujarat. This caused a rapid decline in underground water levels across the state each year. The failure of the monsoon in 1999-2000 exacerbated the situation, leaving most reservoirs and dams in Kutch, North Gujarat, and Saurashtra empty, which resulted in a severe shortage of drinking water.
• This water scarcity created a significant challenge in providing drinking water to both urban and rural areas. In response, the State Government initiated a large-scale effort to conserve excess rainfall by preventing it from draining into the ocean and instead recharging underground water. This was achieved through the construction of check dams and the deepening of existing tanks. In January 2000, the State launched the "Sardar Patel Participatory Water Conservation Project," aiming to build 2,500 check dams at a cost of Rs. 100 crore. The project received overwhelming support, and after the construction of check dams in five districts of Saurashtra, the underground water level rose by 0.65 meters to 13.30 meters. By March 2013, nearly 76,477 check dams had been constructed under this project, with a total of 88,312 check dams built by the Water Resources Department across various schemes.
• These check dams were constructed through public-private partnerships. Initially, community groups, voluntary institutions, and donors covered 40% of the costs, while the Government provided 60%. This ratio was later adjusted to 80:20 in favor of the Government. The check dams were built by the groups or institutions involved, with the aim of minimizing costs and ensuring high-quality construction, as the communities themselves were responsible for the work. This approach helped prevent the involvement of vested interests and misuse of funds, and the scheme was widely embraced by the people of the state.
• The effectiveness of the check dams and the overall success of the project were evaluated by the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) in Ahmedabad, which reported encouraging results.

Proper use of the reservoir / river / spill water

• Every year, a significant amount of excess water from the rivers in Central and South Gujarat flows into the ocean. It is crucial to harness this water to meet future water demands effectively. 
• Rivers like Damanganga, Par, and Tapi in South Gujarat, known for their ample water resources, can be utilized to support drought-prone areas in Gujarat through initiatives like the Par-Tapi-Narmada Link Project. Extensive studies have been conducted to explore this potential further.

Utilizing Narmada Main Canal for Water Distribution

A notable initiative involves a Rs. 2506.32 crore project aimed at replenishing reservoirs and ponds in North Gujarat with excess floodwaters from the Narmada River during drought situations. This plan, endorsed by the government in 2001, includes the construction of a link canal pipeline. As of now, 14 pipelines have been planned, with some already completed, two in progress, and four in the planning and estimation phase.

Dharoi Left and Right Bank Canal Extension Project

• Description of the Project
  • The Sabarmati Reservoir (Dharoi) Project covers a total area of 61,085 hectares.
  • The right bank main canal in Mehsana district spans 48,105 hectares, while the left bank main canal in Sabarkantha district covers 12,980 hectares.
  • An analysis explored expanding the cultivated area in Mehsana and Sabarkantha by utilizing excess water from the Dharoi reservoir to benefit Ahmedabad city.
  • By allocating an additional 8,814 million cubic meters of water from Dharoi, the current cultivated areas in Mehsana and Sabarkantha can be enlarged.
  • By distributing water from the left and right bank canals in an 80:20 ratio, around 5,262 million cubic feet of surplus water can be supplied to Mehsana district.
  • This surplus water will enable irrigation for an extra 30,387 hectares of cultivable land (CCA).
  • Further, it will support lift irrigation for 6,500 hectares of cultivable land across 22 villages through the right bank canal extension and 23,887 hectares of cultivable land in Idar taluka.
  • The estimated expenditure for these extension projects is Rs. 55.00 crore and Rs. 38.00 crore for the right and left banks, respectively.
• Impact and Beneficiaries
  • Four talukas in Mehsana, three in Patan, and one in Gandhinagar district will receive irrigation benefits from the right bank extension project.
  • Notably, 12,309 hectares in Mehsana, 11,508 hectares in Patan, and 70 hectares in Gandhinagar will gain from additional irrigation.
  • The right bank canals have been designed post-Narmada conditions to enhance water-carrying capacity.
  • For the proposed additional cultivated area of the right canal, farmers will need to implement lift irrigation at their own cost instead of relying on water flow.
  • Various infrastructure enhancements have been completed, including two branch canals, ten obituaries, and eight minor branches originating from the right bank extension main canal.
  • Significantly, 95% of the work has been finalized, and 201 hectares of land have been irrigated during the Rabi irrigation season.

Salinity Ingress Prevention and Control

• Salinity ingress prevention and control are essential measures to safeguard underground water sources in coastal regions. To address this issue, recommendations have been put forth by a High-Level Committee, suggesting the construction of various structures near the ocean bank. These structures include tidal regulators, weirs, recharge tanks, reservoirs, wells, check-dams, and spreading channels. The primary aim is to prevent salinity from infiltrating underground water sources.
• For the implementation of salinity ingress prevention schemes in Gujarat, significant financial allocations have been made. Specifically, Rs. 200 crore has been allocated for these initiatives under the State's Special Needs by the 12th Finance Commission. Additionally, the Government of India has allocated Rs. 150 crore for salinity ingress prevention schemes under the 13th Finance Commission.