Lucknow, October 5 (Daily Kiran) : The Uttar Pradesh government is actively enhancing its irrigation system and flood management efforts. Over the past nine and a half years, the Irrigation and Water Resources Department has focused on constructing and replacing gates in major water structures, including barrages, dams, and head regulators. This initiative aims to provide uninterrupted irrigation to farmers while ensuring the safety of these structures during floods and emergencies.
Anil Garg, Principal Secretary of the Irrigation and Water Resources Department, stated that the Yogi government is revitalizing old and dilapidated water structures with modern technology. Many gates in significant barrages and dams had suffered damage over time. These are being replaced in a phased manner to prevent any interruptions in water management and maintain effective flood control.
In recent years, a substantial number of gates have been replaced across the state. All four gates at the Chukka head regulator in Pilibhit have been updated. At the Narora barrage in Bulandshahr, 13 out of 61 gates have been replaced, with work ongoing for the remaining 48. Similarly, all ten gates at the Gomti barrage in Lucknow have been renewed, and all 20 gates at the Tataarpur LGC and PLC connecting regulator in Etah have been replaced.
Garg also noted that 18 out of 27 gates at the Okhla barrage in Delhi have been updated, and three spare gates have been prepared for emergencies. At the Bhimgoda barrage in Haridwar, eight out of 22 faulty gates have been replaced. The construction of these gates has been carried out in the department’s ISO-certified workshops in Bareilly and Jhansi. The replacement work has also been completed for nine out of 15 gates at the Canary barrage in Rampur and all eight gates at the Hindon barrage in Ghaziabad, among other key water structures.
For the first time in the state, gates located underwater have been successfully replaced using modern engineering techniques and the expertise of divers. At the Matatila dam in Lalitpur, as well as the Mejha-Jargo link regulator and Kachanoda dam, under-sluice gates located at depths of 60 to 70 feet have been successfully updated. Additionally, in Kachanoda, two under-sluice gates at a depth of around 60 feet have been replaced, with a spare gate kept in reserve.
Spare gates have also been prepared for significant water structures such as the Maundha in Hamirpur, Lahchura in Mahoba, Khao barrage in Bijnor, Ghaghra barrage in Bahraich, and Sharda barrage in Lakhimpur Kheri. This ensures that irrigation water supply remains unaffected during emergencies. Chief Engineer Upendra Singh emphasized that the Yogi government’s focus extends beyond the construction of water structures. It also prioritizes preparedness for potential disasters. Spare gates are stored for major barrages to enable prompt replacements in case of sudden failures, thereby mitigating potential damage to life and property and ensuring continuous water management.
Following leakage issues at the under-sluice gates located about 80 feet deep at the Chandraprabha dam in Chandauli, the department has taken serious measures. The leakage was causing a significant wastage of irrigation water, raising concerns among local farmers. After inspection, officials were directed to immediately address the leak and permanently seal it with the assistance of expert divers and modern technology. They were also instructed to ensure quality work without compromise and to stop the leakage promptly, ensuring sufficient water supply in canals for the upcoming Kharif crops.
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