Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 15 July 2018 dedicated the Bansagar Canal Project to the nation. The project brings water from the Bansagar Dam constructed on river Sone in Sahadol district of Madhya Pradesh to the Adwa Barrage, Meja Dam and Jirgo reservoir in Uttar Pradesh. The total canal network under this project is 171 kms long. The project is expected to irrigate 1,50,132 hectares and will supply 5.65 million cubic meters of water for domestic purposes.

A joint venture between Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the Bansagar Canal Project was in limbo for forty years. Agriculture, particularly in Mirzapur suffered heavily because of the seasonal onslaught of heat waves and rising frequency of droughts coupled with almost negligible sources of irrigation. Stalling the project cost both locals and the country. In 2014, after Narendra Modi was sworn in as the Prime Minister, the BJP government linked the project with the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (irrigation scheme) for its speedy completion. Initially estimated to cost Rs 300 crore when it was started in 1978, delays in execution increased its cost to Rs 3500 crore. With the project finally reaching its conclusion, farmers are now cultivating wheat and paddy on lands which once remained barren due to lack of irrigation. The Bansagar Canal Project is expected to benefit at least 1.70 lakh such farmers from Mirzapur and Allahabad.

Project Components:

Bansagar Feeder Channel (BSFC): At the end of Common Feeder, lined feeder channel having a length of 71.494 km (including 2.047 km tunnel length) and 46.46 cumec capacity to supply water to Uttar Pradesh. BSFC will outfall in 35.90 km long Adh Nala through which water flows to Adwa Barrage.

Adwa Barrage: Adwa Barrage across river Adwa to divert 46.46 cumec of water from Adwa barrage to Meja Dam.

Adwa-Meja Link Channel (AMLC): A 25.6 km long and having 46.46 cumec capacity to supply water from Adwa Barrage to existing Meja Dam.

Meja-Jirgo Link Channel (MJLC): 16.43 cumec water from Meja Dam shall flow through 74.13 km long MJLC. The MJLC shall feed Baraundha Distributary, Harrai Canal System, Lower Khajuri System etc. and outfall in existing Jirgo reservoir.

Meja-Kota Feeder Channel (MKFC): A 3.577 km long and having 9.21 cumec capacity MKFC to augment existing Kota Dy., Upraundh Dy., Belwania Minor etc.

Remodelling of old canals (Fed from Meja Dam)