Tale of Pench project canal: 9 years, 43 breaches
* WRD submits Rs 699 crore plan for long-term repairs of 1763.90 km long canal that was constructed 37 years ago
By Kartik Lokhande
Over the years, there have been incidences of breaches in Pench project canal, affecting water supply to Nagpur city as well as water for irrigation in rural areas of district. Water Resources Department (WRD) has studied in detail the reasons behind breaches and has drawn up a plan involving an expenditure of Rs 699 crore to take up long-term repairs of the canal, which has breached 43 times in the past nine years.
Pench project’s main dam is at Totladoh in Nagpur district, on river Pench in Wainganga sub-basin of Godavari basin. The dam at Navegaon Khairi and Khindsi reservoir also are parts of the Pench project. Water from the project irrigates total 1.04,476 hectares of agricultural land including 83,076 in Nagpur district and 21,400 hectares in Bhandara district. The capacity of Totladoh reservoir is 1,091 MM3 and that of Navegaon Khairi reservoir is 180 MM3. From the Pench project, 27.35 per cent of water or 271.06 MM3 is reserved for non-irrigation uses, comprising 190 MM3 for supply to Nagpur city and 67 MM3 to Koradi-Khaparkheda thermal power stations.
| The photographs show slippages, and non-cohesive layer of soil that has burrows of monitor lizards or crabs. Non-cohesive layer, washed away layer of murroom, burrows, internal cracks have weakened the Pench project canal that runs into 1763.9 km. As a result, there have been breaches at one spot or the other, especially since 2006. |
However, there has been neglect towards its upkeep over the years. The canal network of Pench project is very long, that is, 1763.90 km. This huge network comprises 84.05 km of main canal, 158.66 km of branch canals, 367.92 km of distributaries, and 1,153.27 km of minor canals. As the canal was constructed 37 years ago using the technology and techniques available at that time, it required attention of the Government as far as timely strengthening, repair and maintenance works were concerned. However, the previous Governments ignored this aspect. As a result, as per the data compiled by WRD Nagpur Region, the canal saw 43 breaches between 2006 and 2014. Not a single year passed without a breach. There are various causes of these breaches in the canal.
Some works of rejuvenation and renovation of Pench project’s main canal and distributaries, as well as works concerning dam safety were done under World Bank-aided Maharashtra Water Sector Improvement Project at the cost of Rs 424.07 crore. However, the agreement with the World Bank ended in March 2014. Only the extremely necessary works were done during the period. The right bank canal of Pench project cannot be closed, as it supplies water to Nagpur city. Hence, repairs of main canal could not be completed.
“The canal was constructed using murroom layer below lining. In 37 years, much of murroom has been washed away. This has created weak spots. At many places, cracks have developed in lining. The cracks are repaired in most cases, but in some cases the internal cracks or hollows are not visible from outside. If water enters these internal cracks, there is sudden breach in the canal,” said R M Chavan, Chief Engineer, WRD, Nagpur Region.
Considering these issues, Chavan said, WRD Nagpur Region had conducted a detailed study of breaches in Pench canal system since 2006. Following this, he added, a plan of Rs 699 crore had been prepared. The plan includes works under Maharashtra Irrigation Special Plan, works included in revised administrative approval proposals, and repairs and regular maintenance.
Chavan told ‘The Hitavada’ that cracks often develop during summer. Further, only impervious sandy soil is left in canal lining at many places. The problem is compounded by burrowing animals like monitor lizards or even crabs making holes in this soil. This loosens the soil layer, and there are vertical slippages. At some spots, soil layer is not cohesive enough. Almost all metal work was done with Uncoursed Rubble Masonry and it had several hollows. In 37 years, the cement mortar in the metal work has loosened up.
“Our engineers have saved many breaches by way of piping works as and when they came to notice those, and avoided damage to agricultural land,” Chavan said. However, there is need for widespread works of hurting-casing and jacketing. For the purpose, huge amount is required. Sadly, WRD receives only Rs 8 crore to Rs 10 crore per annum for maintenance works in entire Nagpur Region that covers 4,32,000 hectares of command area of irrigation projects spread across six districts.
“How can we dedicate all resources to just one project’s canal system? Further, 70-80 per cent of the posts of manpower required to open canal gates, operate canal system, and keep vigil on water distribution, are lying vacant. As against our requirement of Rs 10 crore per annum only for Pench canal system repairs and maintenance, we are getting only Rs 3 crore per annum on an average. As a result, even the maintenance works have to be deferred,” Chavan explained.
Meeting in Mumbai today
The plan of WRD Nagpur Region is likely to be discussed in a meeting scheduled to be held at Mantralaya in Mumbai on Tuesday. Girish Mahajan, Water Resources Minister; Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Guardian Minister of Nagpur district, will be present in the meeting. R M Chavan, Chief Engineer, WRD, Nagpur Region, and other senior officers also will attend the meeting.
Major breaches in Pench canals since 2006
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Year No of breaches No of days taken Area damaged Expenditure
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2006 02 09 5.15 Ha Rs 9.91 lakh
2007 01 05 Nil Rs 4.42 lakh
2008 04 15 5.62 Ha Rs 1.0308 crore
2009 04 10 123.59 ha Rs 13.79 lakh
2010 03 39 2.58 Ha Rs 8.34 lakh
2011 06 12 Nil Rs 36.93 lakh
2012 07 11 Nil Rs 27.28 lakh
2013 07 13 5 Ha Rs 53.49 lakh
2014 09 13 Nil Rs 27.63
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Total 43 127 141.94 Ha Rs 2.8487 crore
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Area irrigated and aid sanctioned in 5 years
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Year Area irrigated Aid sanctioned
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2009-10 83,479 Ha Rs 3.9189 cr
2010-11 83,563 Ha Rs 5.6798 cr
2011-12 91,949 Ha Rs 4.0577 cr
2012-13 98,165 Ha Rs 3.2656 cr
2013-14 1,08,102 Ha Rs 4.3696 cr
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(31-08-15)
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