Irrigation Department came into being in the year 1920, separating out from Public Works Department and was named Irrigation & Waterways only in 1946. In the pre-plan period i.e., prior to 1951, irrigation was effected through Diversion Schemes on rivers Kangsabati and Damodar. Irrigation potential created upto 1951 was of the order of 1,39,000 ha. Now the department is entrusted with the task of providing irrigation facilities, offering reasonable protection against flood, alleviating drainage congestion, arresting erosion, maintaining internal navigation channels and up-keeping the natural waterways in the state. Since 1951 till date several Major and Medium Irrigation Projects, number of Embankment Schemes, Town protection Schemes, Drainage Schemes, Anti River Bank Erosion Schemes & Anti Sea - Erosion Schemes have been taken up by the department. With the help of existing Rain Gauge stations and River Gauge stations and collection of data and interaction with some relevant departments like CWC, IMD etc., a Flood Warning System has been developed. The department has a Public Relations & Statistical cell which publishes a news magazine "Sechpatra" both in Bengali & English regularly.

Achievements