Major Irrigation Projects in India

Definition & Classification

• An irrigation project is an engineering structure built to store, divert, or lift water for crop irrigation, drinking water, power generation, flood control, and other purposes.
• As per Central Water Commission (CWC):
  • Major Project: Cultivable Command Area (CCA) > 10,000 ha
  • Medium Project: CCA 2,000–10,000 ha
  • Minor Project: CCA < 2,000 ha

Importance of Major Irrigation Projects

• Increase irrigated area and cropping intensity.
• Ensure assured irrigation during critical crop stages.
• Aid in hydropower generation, flood control, and drinking water supply.
• Support Green Revolution & food security.
• But → issues of waterlogging, salinity, displacement, ecological imbalance.

Major Irrigation Projects (River-Basin Wise)

Northern India

• Bhakra–Nangal Project (Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh): River: Satluj Features: Bhakra dam (226 m, one of India’s highest gravity dams). Irrigation: ~27.4 lakh ha. Also generates 1325 MW power.
• Indira Gandhi Canal (Rajasthan): Source: Satluj–Beas via Bhakra storage. Brings water to the Thar Desert. Irrigates ~17 lakh ha in western Rajasthan.
• Upper Ganga Canal (Uttar Pradesh): Headworks at Haridwar (1854). Irrigates fertile plains of western UP.
• Tehri Dam Project (Uttarakhand): River: Bhagirathi. Highest dam in India (260 m). Multipurpose: irrigation, drinking water (Delhi, UP), power generation.

Eastern India

• Damodar Valley Project (Jharkhand & West Bengal): River: Damodar, Modeled after Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), USA. Multipurpose: irrigation, flood control, hydropower.
• Hirakud Project (Odisha): River: Mahanadi. World’s longest earthen dam (~25 km including dykes). Irrigates ~15 lakh ha.
• Mayurakshi Project (West Bengal): River: Mayurakshi. Irrigation & flood control.
• Koel-Karo & Subarnarekha Projects: States: Jharkhand–Odisha region.

Western India

• Sardar Sarovar Project (Gujarat, MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan): River: Narmada, Provides irrigation to ~18 lakh ha. Drinking water supply to Kutch, Saurashtra, and Rajasthan. Called “Lifeline of Gujarat.”
• Ukai Project (Gujarat): River: Tapi, Multipurpose project for irrigation & power.
• Kota Barrage (Rajasthan): River: Chambal. Part of Chambal Valley Project.

Southern India

• Nagarjuna Sagar Project (Andhra Pradesh & Telangana): River: Krishna, One of the world’s largest masonry dams. Irrigates ~8.95 lakh ha.
• Srisailam Project (AP & Telangana): River: Krishna, Multipurpose dam for irrigation & power.
• Tungabhadra Project (Karnataka & Andhra Pradesh): River: Tungabhadra (tributary of Krishna). Irrigates ~5.5 lakh ha.
• Mettur Dam (Tamil Nadu): River: Cauvery, Irrigates Cauvery Delta (Deltaic rice area).
• Kallanai (Grand Anicut, Tamil Nadu): River: Cauvery, Built ~2000 years ago by Karikala Chola., Still irrigates ~0.4 Mha.
• Periyar Project (Kerala–Tamil Nadu): River: Periyar (diverted to Vaigai basin). Supports Tamil Nadu irrigation.

Special Facts 

• Largest canal project in India: Indira Gandhi Canal (Rajasthan).
• Longest dam in the world: Hirakud Dam (Odisha, ~25 km).
• Highest dam in India: Tehri Dam (Uttarakhand, 260 m).
• Oldest functional dam in India: Grand Anicut/Kallanai (Tamil Nadu, 2,000 years old).
• Largest multipurpose project in India: Bhakra–Nangal.
• Project modeled on TVA (USA): Damodar Valley Project.
• Project called “Lifeline of Gujarat”: Sardar Sarovar Project.

Exam-Ready Tabular Summary