Indira Gandhi Canal Project Faces Critical 45-Day Shutdown, Threatening Water Supply Across Western Rajasthan
The Indira Gandhi Canal Project (IGNP), widely regarded as the lifeline of western Rajasthan, is likely to undergo a partial shutdown from March 20 to May 3. This impending closure stems from incomplete relining work on the Rajasthan Feeder canal section located within Punjab. The situation has escalated as Punjab has issued a formal notification to complete the remaining 16.62 km stretch, with Rajasthan authorities expected to make a final decision imminently.
Potential Impact on Drinking Water and Irrigation
Officials have warned that a complete 45-day closure could severely disrupt drinking water supply across nearly 12 districts in Rajasthan. To mitigate the impact, the state is considering a phased approach: a 15-day period of partial closure followed by 30 days of full shutdown. This strategy aims to ensure limited water supply initially before transitioning to a complete halt.
The IGNP is indispensable for the region, providing drinking water to approximately 1.7 crore people residing in 49 towns and around 7,500 villages. Key districts reliant on this canal include Hanumangarh, Shriganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Barmer. Beyond drinking water, the project irrigates over 16 lakh hectares of agricultural land across six districts and supplies water to various army establishments.
Details of the Relining Project and Delays
The relining project encompasses a 96.62 km stretch of the Rajasthan Feeder canal within Punjab, specifically from RD 179 to RD 496. By 2024, approximately 80 km had been successfully completed. However, the remaining 16.62 km, originally scheduled for completion in 2025, has faced significant delays. These setbacks have stalled work that was initially targeted for finalization by 2022 under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in 2019.
Punjab has outlined plans for a 60-day closure from March 21 to May 20 to facilitate the remaining work. During this period, around 2,000 cusecs of water is expected to be released for drinking purposes until April 20. After this date, water supply may cease entirely, forcing reliance on stored water reserves.
Contingency Measures and Official Statements
In response to the potential crisis, XEN Niranjan Meena has confirmed that a comprehensive contingency plan has been prepared. This plan includes strategies such as advance water storage and repairs to tubewells to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply during the shutdown period. Officials emphasize that these measures are crucial to prevent a full-blown water crisis in the affected regions.
The impending shutdown underscores the critical importance of the Indira Gandhi Canal Project for western Rajasthan's water security. As authorities finalize their decisions, residents and agricultural sectors brace for potential disruptions, highlighting the urgent need for timely infrastructure maintenance and coordinated inter-state water management.
