The Gujarat government has been mulling a change in the design and structure of Narmada canals in the state. The government has taken the decision after repeated incidents of breakage in canals were reported in many areas across the state.
There were such 24 incidents reported at different places, in which the canal structure broke due to land erosion and other reasons. The government has therefore formed a committee led by retired secretary AP Bhavsar and retired chief engineers in Narmada department JB Patel and OP Gulati, to prepare the new design for the canals.
The chairman of Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited, SS Rathore, said, "The incidents of breakage in canal had increased in many areas where the land has sandy soil. That soil has less binding quality than clay soil and therefore, the structure cannot last long. The committee is working to find a suitable design that has long life on sandy soil too."
"This happens when the use of water is less than the water released from main canals. Moreover, the issues have been reported in sub-branch canals and distributary canals. So, the entire canal network will not be changed but only a portion of it will require structural redesigning," Rathore added.
The incidents of breakage in canals cause wastage of water and great damage to farmers too, as the water leaking out of canals spread across farms, ruining standing crops and quality of soil.
"The quality of construction is not poor. This happens when the water is blocked by farmers in canals so that they can use it for a prolonged period. But this could be harmful for them too. However, the committee will also assess the quality of the construction of canals by collecting samples," Rathore further added.
WHY THE CHANGE
The state government has taken the decision to change the design of the river’s canals after repeated incidents of breakage in them were reported in many areas across the state.
