Irrigation Section

1. Teesta Barrage Project is one of the largest irrigation projects not only in West Bengal but also in the entire eastern region. It will create 9.22 lakh ha. of irrigation potential in six northern districts of West Bengal and 67.50 MW of hydropower from canal falls. 2. The Project has three different phases and the Project envisages utilisation of potential of the Teesta River in the field of irrigation hydropower generation, navigation and flood moderation. 3. The preliminary activities of 1st Sub-stage of Stage-I of Phase-I was started in the year 1975-76 and the work proper was started from 1976-77. 4. The Irrigation areas in different Sub-stages and stages of Phase – I are indicated below districtwise. 5. The drinking water supply for Siliguri Municipal Areas has been effected from the pond of the Mahananda Barrage – one of the pick up barrages of the Project. 6. The annual irrigation potential of the Project will be 5.27 lakh ha. in the 1st Sub-stage, considering the intensity of irrigation of 154%. The 1st Sub-stage will also generate 67.5 M.W. of hydropower from three canal falls in the Mahananda main canal.

Main components of the Project (1st. Sub-stage of Stage-I of Phase-I) are :

6.1 Teesta Barrage at Oodlabari 6.2 Pick up Barrage on – (a) River Mahananda at Fulbari in Rajganj Block in Jalpaiguri District. (b) River Dauk in Chopra Block in Uttar Dinajpur District. 6.3 Lined Right Bank Main Canal System in four reaches of: (a) Teesta Mahananda Link Canal (25.64 km.) (b) Mahananda Main Canal (32.33 km.) (c) Dauk Nagar Main Canal (80.62 km.) (d) Nagar Tangon Main Canal (30.50 km.) 6.4 Construction of 12 Nos. of Major Cross Drainage structures on main canals including major aqueducts on crossings of rivers like: (1) the Karala, (2) the Neem, (3) the Karotowa, (4) the Sahu, (5) the Jorapani, (6) the Barang, (7) the Mahananda, (8) the Nagar, (9) the Luna, (10) the Kanchan, (11) the Kulik and (12) the Dharala. 6.5 Construction of 27 Nos. of Regulator and Fall structures, including 3 Nos. of Power Falls. 6.6 Construction of 166 Nos. of bridges on main canals including crossings of Railway Lines, National Highway, State Highway and Major District Roads. 6.7 Construction of distributaries, minors, sub-minors and water courses upto 8 ha. blocks covering a length of 4200 kms. (approx.) in an area of 3.42 lakh ha. C.C.A. in the six districts. 6.8 Construction of residential and non-residential buildings, stack-yards, stores and godowns throughout the Project Area. 6.9 Construction of Inspection paths, approach roads and other allied works.

State of Execution

7.1 Teesta Barrage, Mahananda Barrage and Dauk Barrage have been completed. 7.2 Teesta Mahananda Link Canal (TMLC) (a) Teesta Mahananda Link Canal has been completed along with all canal structures and cross drainage works. (b) 75% works of distribution system, including structures has been completed. (c) Work of 50% minor / sub-minors of this canal system is completed by ending 1996-1997. 7.3 Mahananda Main Canal (MMC) (a) Mahananda Main Canal along with structures are complete. A new horizon in power development has been created by providing fall in the canal. (b) Works of nearly 40% of the distribution system along with structures have been completed. (c) Micro-survey for distribution system development have been taken up and completed to a great extent. The process of design and acquisition of land has been undertaken and completed to a few number of distributors. 7.4 Dauk Nagar Main Canal (DNMC) (a) 75.78% of the Main Canal and 50% of all structures (bridges cross-drainage & regulators) have been completed. (b) 55% works of distribution system and 41.5% works of different structures have been completed. (c) Micro-survey of the distribution system have been undertaken and completed with respect to some distributaries. The process of acquisition of land has been initiated. 7.5 Nagar Tangon Main Canal (NTMC) Micro-survey works have been taken up. 7.6 Teesta Jaldhaka Main Canal (TJMC) (a) 69% works of the Main Canal have been completed. 30% of the structures are complete and works on remaining structures are going on. (b) Almost 15% of the distribution network has been completed.

Salient Features

Teesta Barrage Project (Development of Irrigation Potential)
District	Stage – I		Stage - II	Stage - III	Total
	1st Sub-Stage	2nd Sub-Stage
Coochbehar	20	61	142	-	223
Darjeeling	17	-	-	-	17
Jalpaiguri	62	-	81	-	143
Uttar Dinajpur	194	-	-	-	194
Dakshin Dinajpur	10	121	-	65	196
Malda	39	22	-	88	149
Total	342	204	223	153	922