Lower Indra Irrigation Project – Water Resources Department, Govt. of Odisha

LOWER INDRA IRRIGATION PROJECT

Problem

• Due to scanty rainfall in this locality, people depending upon farming were migrating to other states for their livelihood.
• The Annual rainfall of this locality is 1116 mm, concentrated in the monsoon period.
• The underground water source is fluoride contented; hence, it is unsuitable for drinking.
• The area is about 500 km from the capital city.
• The tourism facilities have not been developed sufficiently.

Solutions

• Eradication of poverty of local people by providing self-employment & checking their movement to other states for livelihood.
• By creating artificial storage reservoir, greeneries is being developed in the surrounding, which alternately brings change to the environment.
• The project is now providing irrigation as well as drinking water to the nearest vicinity.
• This project has attempted to provide a Children’s park, Science Museum, Science Park, Boating facility, etc., for the far and nearby visitors.
• Adopted Underground Pipe laying (UGPL) methodology for transportation of water from the source (river/reservoir) to farmland

Outcomes

• 3 Nos. of major water supply schemes have been set up by RWSS & PHD to provide fluoride-free drinking water in Nuapada District.
• This project increased the irrigation potential by bringing cultivable lands into the ambit of irrigation.
• This project aims to provide irrigation to the drought-prone and scantily rained areas of this locality, which would stop the migration of people outside the state.
• Transportation of water through Underground Pipe laying (UGPL) methodology.
• Minimizing the loss of water due to evaporation and percolation.

Challenges

• Acquisition of land was the major challenge faced during the construction of this project.
• The area is a Maoist prevailed area.
• Attacks and burning machinery by Maoists were also faced at the work site.
• Achieving optimum and efficient use of water.
• Loss of water due to evaporation and percolation.

Innovation

• Implementation of UGPL system.
• Involving farmers in project Operation, Maintenance, development, and capacity building.
• Providing irrigation water to farmers residing along both sides of the canal areas.
• Impounding of reservoir and water supply in canals.
• Water is released in the river during summer for downstream riparians.

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Case Study

LOWER INDRA IRRIGATION PROJECT

Summary

Lower Indra Irrigation Project is located across river Indra, a tributary of river Tel in the Mahanadi basin. The Dam has been constructed at D/S of the confluence point of River Indra & River Sundar. The Project is situated near the village Dargaon in Nuapada District of Odisha (KBK Region) & 17Km away from Khariar town. Two Main Canals Left & Right (partly lined), off- taking each on either side of river Indra to irrigate an ayacut of 13,191.00 ha. in Nuapada & 16,709.00 ha. in Bolangir District. The total CCA of the project is 29,900 ha. with 130% Irrigation Intensity (Kharif 90% + Rabi 40%) with annual irrigation of 38,870 ha. The command Area of the Project spreads over 198 villages, out of which 79nos. belongs to Nuapada & 119nos to Bolangir District.The Canal network for 13,982 ha and CAD & WM works for 29900ha have been taken up through Under Ground Pipe Line (UGPL) Gravity system. This hybrid Gravity flow UGPL System is implemented for 1st time in Lower Indra Irrigation Project as a Pilot Project in the State.

Problems

Due to scanty rainfall in this locality, people depending upon farming were migrating to other states for their livelihood. The Annual rainfall of this locality is 1116 mm, concentrated in the monsoon period. Previously farmers were dependent fully on rainfall and, most of the time, witnessed drought for which they were in financial hardship for clearing loans for cultivation.

Solutions

Eradication of poverty of local people by providing self-employment & checking their movement to other states for livelihood. Also, creating artificial storage reservoirs contributes to developing greeneries in the surrounding which alternately brings change to the environment. The Lower Indra Irrigation Project has been constructed to irrigate 29,900Ha (open channels for 15,918 ha and UGPL for 13,982 ha.) land in Nuapada & Balangir district. The Under Ground Pipe Line (UGPL) has been adopted in Lower Indra under gravity flow to irrigate up to 1ha chak as pilot project in the state. The underlying principle is to draw raw surface water from the source and transmit it to the land through a gravity flow distribution network. Due to enhanced water use efficiency, more farmlands have been brought into the irrigation fold.

Outcomes

Due to impounding of the reservoir and water supply in canals, groundwater level has been raised, fluoride content reduced and also has a good impact in reducing climate temperature during summer. The water released in the river during summer for downstream riparian uses becomes a great relief to the inhabitants of nearby villages. There are three nos. of major water supply schemes that have been set up by the dept. of Rural Water Supply & Sanitation functioning to provide fluoride-free drinking water to Khariar town ship, Boden and Komna Block in Nuapada District from Lower Indra Reservoir. Due to assured irrigation, crop yield has been increased in the command area of the project and land valuation increased in many folds, which increased the Socio-economic Status of the people. Now the Project site has become a very good tourist spot in this locality. About 55 thousand beneficiaries benefited through this project.

Challenges

Acquisition of land was the major challenge faced during the construction of this project. This area is a Maoist prevailed area, and their attack, burning machinery at the work site, was also faced.

Innovation

It involves farmers in project operation, maintenance, development and capacity building. As a result, socio-economically backward farmers residing along both sides of the canal areas are getting irrigation water as well as employment.

Opportunities

Irrigation to additional ayacut of 3000 ha through UGPL and Mega lift system. The Fishery development plan is also initiated by the project authority. The first and foremost goal of the Lower Indra Irrigation Project is to provide irrigation to the drought-prone and scantily rained upland areas. Hence, to remove drought conditions and achieve stabilized agriculture, this project can be executed near upland areas and other areas not under the fold of irrigation, subject to the availability of nearby water sources.

For more information, please contact:
Mr JUGAL KISHORE KHATUA, CHIEF CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER at celiipnuapada2016@gmail.com

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