Gandhinagar, 8 July, 2014

During the first phase of Sardar Sarovar Narmada project, construction of a network of branch and sub-branch canals has been completed in Narmada, Chhota Udepur, Bharuch, Vadodara and Panchmahal districts bringing 4,46,609 ha area under irrigation. The first phase works of minor canals will be over by March 2015 while sub-minor by March 2017.

These details were shared by minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama in Gujarat assembly.

By March 2014, minor canals works of 4,334 km are completed. Further 111 km works will be completed by March 2015. Rest 2,044 km length works will be completed by March 2017.

Narmada district has 45 minor and 542 sub minor canals, Chhota Udepur 107 minor and 1093 sub minor, Bharuch 459 minor and 2,764 sub minor, Vadodara 650 minor and 5,131 sub minor while in Panchmahal there are 14 minor and 101 sub minor canals. In all these minor and sub minor canals, irrigation water is flowing at present, the minister further said.

He said Rs. 1,363.94 crore are spent for the first phase branch/sub branch/minor/sub minor canal construction works.

About first phase of works:

Phase-I covers cultivable command area of 4,46,609 ha between river Narmada and Mahi. This area is divided into 52 blocks including five blocks falling in Bara Tract area (area contiguous to Gulf of Khambhat).

The C.C.A. 4,46,609 ha of 52 blocks cover two Talukas ( Nandod & Tilakwada) of Narmada District, ten Talukas ( Naswadi, Vadodara, Savli, Waghodia, Pavijetpur, Dabhoi, Karjan, Sankheda, Sinor & Padra) of Vadodara District, four talukas ( Jambusar, Vagra, Amod and Bharuch) of Bharuch District and three talukas ( Halol, Kalol & Jambughoda) of Panchmahals District, thus, aggregating to nineteen Talukas of four Districts covering 1201 villages under command area of Phase-I.

The Command Area is served by 14 Nos of Branch Canal and one Direct Distributory Offtakes from Narmada Main Canal between chainage 0 to 144.5 km. The Canal works of Branch and Distriburories are completed. The works of Minors and Sub Minors are ongoing.

For Participatory Irrigation Mangement, 1193 Nos of Water Users are formed and 1191 Nos are registered.

The Narmada water is released for Irrigation purpose in completed canal since 2002-03. The water is also released for approved Industrial and Domestic establishment.

Map of first phase areas