The Udaisagar Canal will soon resolve its leakage problems. The Water Resources Department has undertaken a major repair of the 85 km canal, which had been deteriorating for about 20 years. The project includes repairing the canal and constructing new culverts to address the current wasteful flow of about 30% of the water due to leaks. 

A budget of Rs 45.96 crore has been allocated under the Rajasthan Water Sector Restructuring Project, with Rs 35.90 crore specifically for improving the irrigation system of Udaisagar Lake. The project began in May, following the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections. To date, 8 km of the canal has been repaired, with the entire project expected to take around two and a half years to complete.

The Udaisagar Canal provides water to 28 villages and helps irrigate 6,318 hectares of land. The Udaisagar Lake, which feeds the canal, has a water level of 24 feet and can store 1,100 MCF (Million Cubic Feet) of water. Out of this, 800 MCF is used for irrigation, supplying water to the fields four times a year.

The canal runs from Udaisagar Lake to Nahar Magra and supports villages like Bichadi, Medta, Dhooni Mata, Nandwel, and Mandesar. To keep these villages connected during water flow, 10 new culverts are also being built.

Additionally, Rs 10 crore will be spent on a fountain irrigation scheme and solar system. Farmers opting for this system will receive up to 75% subsidy, with assistance from the Horticulture Department and Rajeevika.

Source: Dainik Bhaskar