Irrigation and Multipurpose Projects in Bihar | BPSC Preparation: All subjects - BPSC (Bihar) PDF Download

Irrigation and Multipurpose Projects in Bihar

Bihar's water resources contribute to its rich and diverse agriculture. The irrigation capacity of the state has improved due to various long-term and medium-term schemes.

• Bihar utilizes several sources for irrigation, including canals, tubewells, ponds, wells, and the traditional ahar-pyne system. The state is also home to several multipurpose projects, such as the Kosi River Project, Son Valley Project, and Gandak Project, which ensure water distribution across the entire state.
• The construction and expansion of canals in Bihar have facilitated adequate water supply for Rabi crops, reduced flood risks, and lessened dependence on the irregular monsoon.
• Agriculture in Bihar heavily relies on monsoon rainfall, with an average annual rainfall of 120 cm, of which 85% is received during the South-West Monsoon (from June to September). The remaining months experience dry conditions, making irrigation necessary during this prolonged dry period.

Irrigation in Different Districts of Bihar

• Districts with over 70% irrigated land: Arwal, Jamui, Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas, Siwan, and Gopalganj.
• Districts with 50% to 70% irrigated land: Gaya, Patna, Banka, Kaimur, Munger, Begusarai, Sheohar, and Lakhisarai.
• Districts with less than 50% irrigated land: Araria, Saharsa, Supaul, Katihar, Purnea, Kishanganj, Madhubani, Samastipur, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Nawada, and Khagaria.

Irrigation System in Bihar

Irrigation Potential

• Bihar has an ultimate irrigation potential of 117.54 lakh hectares.
• Out of this, 53.53 lakh hectares is under major and medium irrigation projects, while 64.01 lakh hectares is under minor irrigation projects.

Irrigation Development

• By 2017-18, 29.69 lakh hectares of irrigation potential had been created through major and medium irrigation schemes, and 40.79 lakh hectares through minor irrigation schemes.
• In June 2017, three irrigation schemes were completed, creating 49,130 hectares of irrigation potential in Jehanabad, Gaya, and Nalanda districts.

Sources of Irrigation in Bihar

The main sources of irrigation in Bihar include canals, tubewells, wells, ponds, and ahar/pyne systems.

Canals

• Canals are the primary source of irrigation in Bihar, covering around 28% of the total irrigated land.
• The state has both perennial and seasonal canals.
• Perennial canals have water year-round and are mostly found in North Bihar. Seasonal canals have water only during the rainy season.
• Major canals in Bihar include:

(i) Son Canal

• Eastern Son Canal : Originating from Barun in 1875, this canal is 130 km long and irrigates districts such as Patna, Aurangabad, Jehanabad, Arwal, Bhojpur, and Gaya.
• Western Son Canal : Branching from the Sone River at Tihri, it includes Arrah, Buxar, and Chausa branches, irrigating 3 lakh hectares in Buxar, Bhojpur, Kaimur, and Rohtas districts.

(ii) Kosi Canal

• The Kosi Barrage on the Kosi River in Nepal (completed in 1963 ) feeds two main canals in Bihar:
• Eastern Kosi Canal : 127 km long (including branches), irrigating 6.20 lakh hectares in districts like Purnea, Supaul, Madhepura, and Katihar.
• Western Kosi Canal : 91.63 km long, irrigating 3.25 lakh hectares in districts such as Darbhanga, Madhubani, Samastipur, and Supaul.

(iii) Gandak Canal

• A dam on the Gandak River near Valmiki Nagar has two canals:
• Saran Canal : Irrigating Saran, Gopalganj, and Siwan districts.
• Tirhut Canal : Flowing eastward, irrigating Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, East Champaran, and West Champaran districts.

(iv) Triveni Canal

• Constructed in 1904, this canal diverts from the Gandak River at Triveni in West Champaran district, irrigating 1 lakh hectares in the district.

(v) Kamla Canal

• Originating from the Kamla River in Darbhanga district, this canal primarily irrigates Madhubani district.

Sakri Canal

• Constructed in 1950 on the Sakri River.
• Provides irrigation to the districts of Munger, Gaya, Patna, Nawada, and Nalanda.

Dhaka and Teur Canal

• These are smaller canals originating from the Lalwakia and Teur Rivers in Champaran.
• Together, they irrigate 2.5 lakh hectares of land in East Champaran district.

Rajpur Canal

• A branch of the Eastern Kosi Canal, with a total length of 366 km.
• Irrigates 1.60 lakh hectares of land in the Khagaria and Saharsa districts.

Tubewells

• Introduced in 1930 for irrigation in the plains of Bihar.
• Involves boring a 4-6 inch stainless steel pipe into an underground aquifer to lift water for irrigation.
• Widely used in districts like Araria, Gaya, Begusarai, Samastipur, Kishanganj, Nalanda, and Patna.
• Bihar has approximately 10,242 tubewells, but only 2,866 are functional for irrigation.
• About 53.46% of irrigated land is watered by tubewells.
• Patna, Kishanganj, and Araria are the most irrigated districts by tubewells, while Rohtas is the least due to its reliance on canal irrigation.
• The Bihar government promotes tubewell schemes through initiatives like the Bihar Shatabdi ‘Niji Nalkup Yojana’.

Wells

• The alluvial soil and high groundwater table in Bihar make it suitable for well irrigation.
• Both lined and unlined wells are used, with Rahat or Latthakundi being common tools for this method.
• Districts like Saran, Siwan, and Gopalganj rely heavily on well irrigation.

Ponds

• Ponds are a common source of irrigation across all districts in Bihar.
• Traditionally, these ponds were dug out for irrigation purposes.
• In North Bihar plains, districts such as Gopalganj and Madhubani are particularly noted for their use of ponds for irrigation.

Ahar/Pyne Systems

• The Ahar/Pyne system is a traditional and indigenous method of irrigation in Bihar.
• It involves the digging of rivers, nallahs (small rivers), or canals to harvest floodwater for agricultural use.
• This system has been revitalized and made functional under various government schemes such as the State Plan, Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Plan, Rural Infrastructure Development Fund, and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana.
• During the Mauryan period, this method was crucial for agriculture, as it allowed the storage and distribution of excess floodwater.
• Large pynes (channels) can be subdivided into multiple branches, irrigating thousands of hectares.
• A notable example is the Desain Pyne, which has ten branches.
• The smallest unit of a pyne, located close to agricultural fields, is called Karhas. When a pyne runs dry, the area is referred to as Ahar.
• Districts such as Gaya, Nawada, Patna, Bhagalpur, Jamui, Banka, and Munger are primarily engaged in this type of irrigation.

Significant Irrigation Initiatives in Bihar

Bihar has implemented several important irrigation projects to enhance water management and support agricultural activities. Here are some of the key projects:

Durgavati Irrigation Project

• Location: Kaimur and Rohtas districts, known for drought conditions.
• Structure: An earthen dam on the Durgavati River, measuring 1,616 meters in length and 46.66 meters in height.
• Purpose: To control floodwaters and provide irrigation to the surrounding areas.
• Current Status: A Kudra Weir has been built on the Durgavati River, and another weir is under construction near Karamchat in the Chewari sub-division.

Kiul Irrigation Project

• Location: Garhi village in Jamui district.
• Structure: A dam on the Kiul River.
• Purpose: To supply water for irrigation in the drought-prone regions of Lakhisarai and Munger districts.

Bagmati Irrigation Project

• Location: Ramnagar in Sitamarhi district.
• Infrastructure: A dam and a canal system.
• Purpose: To provide irrigation water to Sitamarhi, Sheohar, and Muzaffarpur districts.

Barnar Major Irrigation Project

• Location: Jamui district, an area prone to drought.
• Purpose: To supply water for irrigation to the region.

Additional Projects Benefiting Bihar

• North Koel Project: Benefits Gaya and Aurangabad districts.
• Tilaiya Project: Benefits Gaya and Nawada districts.

Major Irrigation Projects in Bihar

Medium and Small Irrigation Projects in Bihar

Multi-purpose Projects in Bihar

• Kosi Project: Aims to control flooding and provide irrigation in the Kosi river basin.
• Gandak Project: Focuses on irrigation and flood control in the Gandak river basin.
• South Bihar Project: A multi-purpose project for irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation in South Bihar.

Son Multi-purpose Project

The Son Multi-purpose Project, inaugurated in 1874, is Bihar's first major irrigation initiative. It began as a canal project to irrigate the South-Western region of the state. Over time, it was transformed into a multi-purpose project.

Initially, the project involved the construction of a dam in Baruk near Dehri, Rohtas district, and the canal's dimensions are approximately 3801 meters in length and 2.44 meters in width. In 1968, the Indrapuri Barrage was built at Indrapuri in Rohtas district, measuring 1,410 meters in length.

The project now includes two powerhouses: one near Dehri with a capacity of 6.6 MW and another near Barun in Aurangabad with a capacity of 3.3 MW.

Gandak Multi-purpose Project

The Gandak Multi-purpose Project is a collaborative effort between the governments of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Nepal, established under a 1959 agreement. The project features a barrage constructed in 1969-70 near Triveni Ghat (Valmikinagar, Bihar) across the Gandak River, with half of the structure in Bihar and the other half in Nepal.

Key components of the project include:

• Main Eastern Canal (Tirhut Canal): Approximately 293 km long, irrigating 6.6 lakh hectares of land, benefiting districts such as East Champaran, West Champaran, Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, and Samastipur.
• Main Western Canal (Saran Canal): About 200 km long, extending into Nepal (19 km), Bihar (69 km), and Uttar Pradesh (112 km), irrigating 4.84 lakh hectares of land. Major beneficiary districts include Saran, Gopalganj, and Siwan.

The project also includes the Eastern and Western Nepal Canals, with a hydroelectric powerhouse in Valmikinagar over the East Nepal Canal, boasting an installed capacity of 15 MW.

Kosi Multi-purpose Project

The Kosi Multi-purpose Project is a collaborative initiative between the governments of India and Nepal, with an agreement signed in April 1954. Construction began in 1955 and was completed in 1963, aiming for flood control, irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and land conservation.

Key developments include:

• Installation of four units: Between 1970 and 1978, four units with a total capacity of 4.8 MW were installed at Baripur.
• Handover to BSHPCL: In November 2003, the project was transferred to the Bihar State Hydro-electric Power Corporation Limited (BSHPCL).
• Canal management: The Bihar Water Resource Department oversees all canal projects in the state.
• Kosi River infrastructure: Various embankments and dams have been built on the Kosi River, from which numerous canals have been constructed.
• Concrete dam in Hanuman Nagar: A 1,146 m long concrete dam was built in Hanuman Nagar, Nepal, near the Bihar border.

State Government’s Efforts for Irrigation

The State Government of Bihar has initiated several schemes aimed at enhancing irrigation facilities across the state.

Interlinking of Rivers

A key focus is on the interlinking of rivers to optimize water resource utilization, particularly in drought-prone areas.

During the period of 2017-22, three major river interlinking schemes have been proposed:

• Sakri-Nata River Interlinking Scheme: This approved scheme aims to transfer water from Sakri River to Nata River through Baksoti Barrage Canal, irrigating approximately 68,000 hectares in Nawada, Nalanda, and Sheikhpura districts.
• Burhi Gandak-Noon-Via-Ganga Link Scheme: Expected to irrigate around 1.26 lakh hectares in Samastipur, Begusarai, and Khagaria districts, while also reducing flood risks in these areas.
• Kosi-Mechi Interlinking Scheme: Anticipated to irrigate about 2.11 lakh hectares in Araria, Saharsa, Supaul, Kishanganj, and Purnea districts.

Other Irrigation Schemes in Bihar

1. Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Plan (AIBP)

• The Central Government offers financial support to Bihar through this scheme.
• North Bihar projects receive approximately 90% of this central assistance.
• Notable projects include:
  • Western Kosi Canal Scheme
  • Kosi Barrage Scheme
  • Durgavati Reservoir Scheme
  • Punpun Barrage Scheme
• These projects are being carried out in the districts of Nawada, Rohtas, Kaimur, and Sitamarhi.

2. Bihar Shatabdi Niji Nalkup Yojana

• This initiative is active in every block across 38 districts in Bihar.
• Financial assistance includes:
  • Up to ₹15,000 for shallow tubewells
  • Up to ₹35,000 for medium-depth tubewells
  • Up to ₹10,000 for motor pumps

3. Telemetry Scheme

• This scheme involves the installation of telemetry instruments in all blocks and district headquarters throughout the state.

4. Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR) of Water Bodies

• A proposal has been submitted to the Central Government for the renovation of 27 ahar-pyne and weirs under this scheme.
• Once implemented, these projects are expected to restore irrigation potential across 12.3 thousand hectares.

5. Rainbow Revolution

• Launched in 2015-16, this initiative aims to enhance agricultural development by improving electricity supply for irrigation.
• Currently, only 5.83% of electricity is used for irrigation in the state.
• The project focuses on providing electricity for pump sets used in irrigation and other agricultural activities.
• It involves separating domestic electricity feeders and installing adequately sized transformers near irrigation pump sets.

Bansagar Water Dispute Agreement, 1973

• The Bansagar Dam, situated on the Son River in Shahdol district, Madhya Pradesh, is central to an inter-state agreement involving Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Bihar districts such as Rohtas, Kaimur, Buxar, Bhojpur, Gaya, Aurangabad, and Arwal rely on the Son River for Rabi season irrigation.
• To address water dispute issues, a water-sharing agreement concerning the Son River was established in 1973 among the three states.
• The agreement stipulates a water flow of over 14,250 lakh acre-feet from the Son River and its tributaries.
• Allocations are as follows:
  • Bihar: 7,750 lakh acre-feet
  • Madhya Pradesh: 5,250 lakh acre-feet
  • Uttar Pradesh: 1,250 lakh acre-feet