Hirakud Dam Canal System Renovation

• 07 Oct 2024

Source: TH 

Why in News?

The six-decade-old canal system connected to Odisha's Hirakud Dam is set for a major renovation.  

• This initiative aims to modernise irrigation infrastructure, reduce water wastage, and enhance agricultural productivity, providing much-needed support to farmers in the region. 

What are the Key Objectives of the Renovation? 

• Need for Renovation: Many canal infrastructures, including the Bargarh and Sasan main canals, are in disrepair.  
  • Existing earthen canals cause significant water loss, reducing irrigation efficiency. 
  • Water seepage makes some farmland unsuitable for farming, complicating challenges for local farmers. 
• Key Features of the Renovation: Conversion of all earthen water courses to concrete paths for improved water distribution and management. 
  • The project will enhance water availability in tail-end areas for better farmer access. 
• Impact on Local Farmers: Aims to reduce the gap between irrigation potential and actual usage. Enhanced irrigation capabilities will benefit farmers and increase crop yields. 

What are the Key Facts About the Hirakud Dam? 

• About: It is a multipurpose scheme conceived by Er. M. Visveswaraya in 1937, after a recurrence of devastating floods in the Mahanadi River. 
  • Built around 1952-53, the Hirakud Dam is one of India’s first major multipurpose river valley projects post-independence. 
  • It holds the title for the longest major earthen dam globally, stretching 25.8 km across the Mahanadi River. 
  • It was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1957. 
  • Hirakud Dam forms the Hirakud Reservoir, also known as Hirakud Lake, is one of the largest artificial lakes in Asia. Hirakud Reservoir was declared a Ramsar site in 2021. 
• Purpose and Benefits: The dam has an installed capacity of 359.8 MW for hydroelectric power generation, contributing to the region's energy supply. 
  • The reservoir irrigates 436,000 hectares of land, benefiting farmers in the region. 
• Cattle Island: It is located in one of the extreme points of Hirakud Reservoir. It is inhabited by a large herd of wild cattle. 

Mahanadi River 

• Origin: The river originates from Sihawa range of hills in the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh. 
• Mouth: It flows into the Bay of Bengal at False Point, Jagatsinghpur in Odisha. 
• Tributaries: 
  • Left Bank: Seonath, Mand, Ib, Hasdeo, and Kelo. 
  • Right Bank: Ong, Parry, Jonk, and Telen. 
• Basin and Geography: The Mahanadi basin extends over states of Chhattisgarh and Odisha and comparatively smaller portions of Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. 
  • It is bounded by the Central India hills on the north, by the Eastern Ghats on the south and east and by the Maikala range on the west.  
  • The Mahanadi is one of the major rivers of the country and among the peninsular rivers, in water potential and flood producing capacity, it ranks second to the Godavari.