The ambitious multipurpose project Indira Sagar, besides generating hydro electricity with 1,000 MW installed capacity, has given a reason to cheer to people living in many villages in Barwani district. The Narmada water discharged in main canal from Indira Sagar dam in Khandwa district travelled over 200 km to reach near Mandwada village of this tribal dominated district of western Madhya Pradesh. The people of the villages around main canal of Indira Sagar project are jubilant with this development.
With almost no irrigation facility in this area, the Narmada water is a boon for the villagers, who are welcoming it as the blessing of sacred Narmada. The farmers have gathered around the canal or small rivers and rivulets in which canal water is being diverted for the irrigation purposes. The local folks including men and women perform puja and offer chunari to welcome the Narmada in their area.
Notably, the complete canal network of Indira Sagar project would create 1.23 lakh hectare irrigation potential. Out of this, 19,000 hectare command area would be in Khandwa district, 69,000 hectare in Khargone and 36,000 hectare command area would be benefited in Barwani district. The main canal of the project is 248.65-km-long.
The Barwani district is at the last phase of the canal. The successful flow of the water to the 200-km stretch have benefited thousands of farmers in irrigating their fields. The farmers are lifting water through pumping system. A few months back, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at a function in district had promised to the farmers that Narmada water will be available to them soon. The farmers are satisfied with the fulfillment of the promise of the Chief Minister.