Irrigation and Hydropower | BPSC Preparation: All subjects - BPSC (Bihar) PDF Download

Historical Context of Irrigation in Bihar

• Irrigation has been practiced in Bihar since ancient times, dating back to the era of Kautilya, who lived in Patliputra (now Patna) during the Mauryan empire around 400 BC. Kautilya detailed principles of precipitation and irrigation in his notable work, Kautilya Arthashastra. 
• Although Bihar's irrigation history stretches far back, systematic written records primarily began during the British period. Key early milestones in the scientific development of water resources in Bihar include the construction of the Unit Canals, Teur Canals, Thermoplastic Canal, Dacca Canal, Triveni Canal, and Kharagpur Irrigation Works.

Future Prospects and Agricultural Development in Bihar

• Bihar's impressive economic growth in recent years has generated high expectations for sustained future growth. To maintain this progress, agricultural development will be crucial. This requires enhancing irrigation and increasing cropping intensity. Given that 96% of farmers in Bihar are classified as small and marginal, prioritizing the development and maintenance of minor irrigation infrastructure is essential. 
• This need led to the study commissioned by the Minor Water Resources Department, Government of Bihar. The study aims to identify necessary steps to reorganize and strengthen the department to meet its irrigation intensity goals for the Twelfth and Thirteenth Five-Year Plans (2012-22).

Classification and Status of Irrigation Schemes in Bihar

• Bihar’s irrigation schemes are categorized into three main types:
  • Major and Medium Schemes: These are surface irrigation projects covering over 1,000 hectares.
  • Minor Surface Schemes: These include diversion or reservoir projects irrigating less than 1,000 hectares.
  • Lift Schemes: These involve tubewell or small stream lift irrigation systems.
• Currently, there are 27 major and 163 medium completed irrigation schemes, with 19 major and 31 medium schemes under construction. Additionally, there are about 40,000 minor surface irrigation works, including 747 officially recognized schemes and the remainder as small tanks (ahars). There are also 2,074 stream lift irrigation schemes, 5,791 deep tubewells, around 600,000 shallow tubewells, and approximately 400,000 dug wells used for irrigation.
• Despite these efforts, Bihar's gross irrigated area is around 50%, which is relatively low compared to regions with 95% irrigation and 67% in Bihar, and 40% nationwide. The average groundwater exploitation is at 39%, revealing significant untapped potential. The Water Resources Department (WRD) of Bihar envisions an ultimate irrigation potential of 10.7 million hectares, with 5.3 million hectares through major and medium projects. However, by 2005, the created potential was only 2.61 million hectares, with actual utilization at 1.6 million hectares, leaving half the potential still rainfed.
• Additionally, 76% of North Bihar’s population and 73% of the region face recurring flood threats. The WRD’s visionary program aims to achieve the following by 2025:
  • Provide irrigation to all potentially irrigable fields.
  • Complete flood control measures.
  • Reclaim waterlogged areas.
  • Ensure effective irrigation management through democratic transfer of command areas.

Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI)

• The Water and Land Management Institute (WALMI), located in Patna, is a specialized field-based institute established in 1987 with support from USAID under the Indo-US Water Resources Management and Training Project. 
• WALMI spearheaded the action research project in the Paliganj area, marking Bihar's first step towards democratic irrigation management in major canal irrigation systems.

Power Sector Challenges in Bihar

• Power is crucial for socio-economic development. Economic progress relies on the availability of sufficient, reliable, and high-quality power at competitive rates. Bihar's growth is hindered by inadequate power supply. The state's per capita power consumption is approximately 100 units, compared to the national average of around 700 units. 
• Bihar's total generation capacity is about 600 MW, while the average demand is 2500 MW, with peak demand reaching 3000 MW. Currently, the state has access to 1846 MW, including capacity allocation from central sector generating stations.

Hydro Power Development in Bihar

• The power system in Bihar is predominantly driven by thermal power, with hydro power contributing minimally. To address this imbalance, the Government of Bihar is dedicated to accelerating the development of hydro power within the state.
  The key objectives of the policy include:
  • Increasing Generation Capability: Enhancing the overall power generation capacity of the state, with a focus on hydro power.
  • Optimizing Power Mix: Achieving an optimal thermal-hydro generation ratio of 60:40.
  • Encouraging Independent Power Producers: Providing a supportive policy framework to attract and facilitate private sector participation.
• Hydro projects are categorized based on their capacity:
  • Micro Hydro: Less than 3 MW
  • Mini Hydro: 3 MW to 25 MW
  • Medium Hydro: 25 MW to 100 MW
  • Large Hydro: Greater than 100 MW
• Currently, the Bihar State Power Corporation (BHPC), a government enterprise, oversees hydro power development in the state. Under the Bihar State Hydro-Power Policy - 2012, BHPC is responsible for identifying hydro power locations, inviting proposals, evaluating projects, obtaining government approvals, and monitoring progress. Projects under central government jurisdiction are reviewed by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) as per the Indian Electricity Act of 2003.
• Several small hydro power units are operational in districts such as Supaul, Saharsa, and Madhepura, with capacities ranging from 0.7 MW to 20 MW. The total capacity of these units is approximately 650 MW. Additionally, the government has identified five sites in Kaimur district for pumped-storage hydro power stations, with a combined capacity of 2,970 MW. Proposed locations include Hathiadah-Durgawati, Telharkund, Sinafadar, Panchgotia, and Kohira.