Irrigation Systems
Indian Agriculture · सिंचाई प्रणाली
📋Quick Overview
India's agriculture is predominantly dependent on monsoon. To overcome this dependence, irrigation is critical. India's net irrigated area is about 70 million hectares. The three main sources of irrigation are: Wells/Tubewells (~60% of irrigated area — most widely used), Canals (~26%), and Tanks (~3-5%). While canals irrigate the largest area in absolute terms historically, tubewells have overtaken as the most widely used method. The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) works on the principle 'Har Khet Ko Pani, More Crop Per Drop'.
Irrigation sources in India: 1) Wells/Tubewells = ~60% (most widely used); 2) Canals = ~26%; 3) Tanks = ~3-5%; 4) Other sources ~10%. Tubewell-intensive states: Punjab, Haryana, UP. Tank irrigation dominant: Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu.
📖Major Dams of India — Exam Table
| Dam | River | State | Record/Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhakra-Nangal | Sutlej | Punjab/Himachal Pradesh border | Largest reservoir (Gobind Sagar); Bhakra Dam = 226m high; Nehru called it 'New Temple of India' |
| Hirakud | Mahanadi | Odisha | Longest dam in India (4.8 km / 4,801 metres); multipurpose dam |
| Tehri Dam | Bhagirathi (Ganga tributary) | Uttarakhand | Tallest dam in India (260m); 4th tallest in Asia; largest hydroelectric project in Himalayan region |
| Sardar Sarovar | Narmada | Gujarat (Navagam village) | World's 2nd largest concrete dam; beneficiaries: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra; height 163m |
| Nagarjuna Sagar | Krishna | Andhra Pradesh/Telangana | World's largest masonry dam; irrigation for both AP and Telangana |
| Mettur Dam (Stanley Reservoir) | Cauvery | Tamil Nadu | One of the largest dams in India; major source of irrigation for the Cauvery Delta; opened 1934 |
| Idukki Dam | Periyar | Kerala | Highest arch dam in India; first arch dam in Asia; hydroelectric power generation |
| Koyna Dam | Koyna (Krishna tributary) | Maharashtra | Largest dam in Maharashtra; earthquake occurred near it in 1967; hydroelectric power |
📖Major Canals of India
| Canal | Source/State | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Indira Gandhi Canal (Rajasthan Canal) | Harike Barrage (Sutlej + Beas confluence); Rajasthan | Longest canal in India (~650 km main canal; ~8000 km total network); transforms Thar Desert region; irrigates Rajasthan |
| Upper Ganges Canal | Haridwar (Ganga); Uttar Pradesh | One of the oldest and longest canals; irrigates western UP; starts at Haridwar Ganga |
| Lower Ganges Canal | Narora (Ganga); Uttar Pradesh | Irrigates eastern UP; taken from Narora barrage on Ganga |
| Buckingham Canal | Coastal Andhra Pradesh + Tamil Nadu | Oldest navigation canal in India; connects the coastal districts of AP and TN |
| Son Canal System | Son River; Bihar and Madhya Pradesh | Major irrigation network in Bihar and MP; important for Rabi crops |