Irrigation Projects in MP | 13 May 2025

Why in News? 

The Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh reviewed the Sitapur-Hanumana Lift Irrigation, Bansagar Project, and other pending schemes in Rewa, urging timely completion of construction work. 

Key Points 

  • About Sitapur-Hanumana Lift Irrigation Project: 
    • This project is helpful in strengthening the irrigation system of Mauganj, Sidhi and Singrauli districts. 
    • Through this project, 1 lakh 20 thousand hectares of agricultural land in a total of 653 villages will be connected with irrigation facilities. 
    • Administrative approval of Rs 4,167 crore has been given by the state government for this project . 
    • Challenges: 
      • The dam proposed in this project is to be built on the Son River in Amiliya area of Sidhi district . 
      • The area falls under the Son Gharial Sanctuary, making environmental and wildlife clearance mandatory. 
      • Emphasizing environmental protection, officials were instructed to ensure that no harm is caused to gharial conservation efforts. 
  • Bansagar Dam: 
    • Bansagar Dam is located on the Son River in Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh . 
    • It is a multi-purpose project, aimed at ensuring irrigation, hydropower generation and water supply. 
    • Authorities have been directed to accelerate the construction of the 18 km Bela Minor Canal, tunnel lining in Chuhiya Valley, aqueduct development, and canal lining. 
      • Bela Minor Canal is a tributary canal of the Bansagar Project. 
      • The total length of this canal is 51 km, out of which only 21 km of work has been completed so far. 
    • Benefits: 
      • On completion of the dam and canal project, irrigation facilities will be ensured in lakhs of hectares of area in Rewa, Mauganj, Sidhi and Singrauli districts. 
      • This project will provide sustainable irrigation facilities to millions of farmers, leading to crop diversification, increased productivity, and improved income. 

 Son Gharial Sanctuary  

  • It is an important sanctuary located in the Son River area of Madhya Pradesh, which was established in 1981 with the aim of conserving gharials and increasing their numbers.  
  • Under this sanctuary, a total area of 210 km has been protected including 161 km of Son River, 23 km of Banas River and 26 km of Gopad River. 
  • This sanctuary comes under Project Crocodile, the main attraction of the sanctuary is the sandy habitats, which mainly include gharial, Indian soft shell turtle (Chitra Indica) and Indian skimmer (Rynchops albicollis).  
    • These areas provide protection to various endangered species.