In this guide
In the early 2000s, only a modest share of Madhya Pradesh's farmland was irrigated. Over the next two decades, the state built canals from the Narmada projects, expanded minor irrigation and tube wells, and rapidly increased its irrigated area — one of the main reasons for its fast agricultural growth. At the heart of this story are dams — Indira Sagar, Omkareshwar, Bargi, Tawa, Bansagar, Gandhi Sagar — and increasingly, river-linking projects. For MPPSC, dams and irrigation link geography, economy, environment and social justice.
Sources of irrigation
| Source | Notes |
|---|---|
| Tube wells and wells | The largest source; heavy dependence on groundwater, especially in Malwa |
| Canals | From major and medium projects — Narmada, Chambal, Betwa, Son, Tawa |
| Tanks | Traditional in Bundelkhand and elsewhere |
The state has also pushed pressurised piped irrigation and micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler) to save water.
Major dams on the Narmada
| Project | District | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Bargi (Rani Avantibai Lodhi Sagar) | Jabalpur | One of the first major dams on the Narmada; irrigation and power |
| Tawa | Narmadapuram (on the Tawa river) | Irrigation in the Narmadapuram–Harda region |
| Indira Sagar | Punasa, Khandwa | One of the largest reservoirs in India by storage; major hydroelectric project (about 1,000 MW) |
| Omkareshwar | Khandwa | Hydroelectric and irrigation project; hosts one of the world's largest floating solar projects |
| Maheshwar | Khargone | Hydroelectric project that has faced long delays |
| Sardar Sarovar | Gujarat (but with large submergence in MP) | The terminal dam on the Narmada; the reason for large-scale displacement in MP's Barwani, Dhar and Alirajpur districts |
Major dams on other rivers
| Project | River | District | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gandhi Sagar | Chambal | Mandsaur | Part of the MP–Rajasthan Chambal project |
| Rajghat (Rani Laxmibai Sagar) | Betwa | Ashoknagar / Lalitpur (MP–UP) | Joint MP–UP project |
| Bansagar | Son | Shahdol | Joint project of MP, UP and Bihar |
| Halali (Samrat Ashok Sagar) | Halali | Vidisha / Raisen | Irrigation |
| Barna | Barna (Narmada tributary) | Raisen | Irrigation |
River-linking
| Project | Details |
|---|---|
| Narmada–Kshipra Simhastha link (2014) | Pumps Narmada water to the Shipra at Ujjain — for drinking water and the Simhastha |
| Narmada–Malwa links | Further projects to bring Narmada water to the Malwa plateau (e.g., Narmada–Gambhir) |
| Ken–Betwa link | Transfers Ken water to the Betwa via the Daudhan dam in Panna; foundation stone in December 2024; aims to irrigate drought-prone Bundelkhand in MP and UP; concerns about submergence in the Panna Tiger Reserve |
| Parbati–Kalisindh–Chambal–ERCP | Joint project with Rajasthan, agreed in 2024 |
The Narmada Bachao Andolan
- Began in the 1980s, led by activists including Medha Patkar and Baba Amte, against the displacement caused by the Sardar Sarovar and other Narmada dams.
- Raised issues of rehabilitation, resettlement, environmental impact and the rights of tribal and farming communities.
- The Supreme Court (2000) allowed the dam's construction to continue, subject to rehabilitation conditions.
- The movement shaped national debates on development and displacement, leading to better rehabilitation policies.
Water governance issues
| Issue | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Groundwater depletion | Over-extraction in Malwa |
| Inter-state water sharing | Narmada (tribunal award of 1979), Chambal, Betwa, Son |
| Canal efficiency | Losses; incomplete distribution networks |
| Rehabilitation | Displaced families' livelihoods |
| Climate variability | Droughts and floods |
Practice
Prelims-style:
- Where is the Indira Sagar dam?
- What is the Bargi dam's other name?
- On which river is the Gandhi Sagar dam?
- Which states share the Bansagar project?
- Where is the Daudhan dam of the Ken–Betwa link?
Mains-style (short): What were the main demands of the Narmada Bachao Andolan?
Mains-style (long): "Large dams are temples of modern India — and sources of modern displacement." Discuss with reference to Madhya Pradesh.
A note on dates and numbers. Exam patterns, vacancies and schedules change from year to year. Always confirm the current details in the latest notification on the Madhya Pradesh Public Service Commission website .
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