Ahmedabad, 13 August 2014

Chief Minister Anandiben Patel will inaugurate world’s largest siphon and newly completed works of the Kutch branch canal of Narmada project on eve of Independence day at Santalpur in Patan district. With this, Narmada water will flow upto 82 km length in Kutch branch canal.

Kutch branch canal starts at 385th km point of Narmada main canal. Till now Narmada water was flowing in Kutch branch canal only upto 49 km distance. But with completion of world’s longest siphon and further canal construction, water will flow upto additional 40 km distance in Kutch branch canal. Government has planned to achieve total 144 km length by the end of this year.

Kutch branch canal’s total length is 357.185 km. It is going to provide irrigation coverage to 1,12,778 ha land of 182 villages of Rapar, Bhachau, Anjar, Gandhidham, Mundra, Mandvi and Bhuj talukas of Kutch district.

The branch canal crosses Sheni river through a 2.5 km long siphon which is world’s largest. It is constructed using 2.32 lakh sqm cement concrete, and 18,000 mt steel at a cost of Rs. 154.53 crore in 2 years period. It has 85 blocks, each measuring 30 meter. Siphon is located between 46.780 km and 49.330 km mark in 2.550 km length with radial gate and vertical stop log gate.

More details:

Narmada branch canals brings Narmada river water to 385 km distance. Later a 360 km long Kutch branch canal begins. 45 km works of Kutch branch canal are completed since last one year. Works for 45 to 54.90 km distance were started in year 2011 at a cost of Rs. 251.20 crore. This includes Rs. 154.53 crore 2.55 km long siphon. Kutch branch’s 54.90 – 65 km works worth Rs. 24.54 crore were started in January 2011 while 65-82 km works worth Rs. 224.64 crore along with 30-82 km sub canals and minor canals were started in February 2011. Of this upto 82 km works are over. Thus Narmada water have reached upto Madhutra in Santalpur taluka of Patan district covering 50,000 ha area of Patan/Banaskantha district under irrigation.

Kutch branch canal’s 112-133 km works worth Rs. 66 crore are over, while 82-112 km and 133-189 km parts are under construction at a cost of Rs. 748 crore. Thus Kutch branch canal’s 144 km works are to be completed by December 2014.This will bring Narmada water to Rapar taluka’s Jesda.

Kutch branch canal’s Rs. 2767 crore works are in progress. Of this 1382 crore works are completed. Other Rs. 1408 crore works are in tender process. With completion of all works of Kutch branch canal in next two-three years, total 1,62,000 ha area will be irrigated.

Due to nonavailability of permission to use Wild life sanctuary land, canal works in 144-166 km stretch could not be started. However in recent meeting of National Board for Wild Life(NBWL), 134.034 ha land usage has been recommended. After Supreme Court’s approval, Kutch branch canal works upto 166 km will be completed.