Contacting Irrigation Department for relevant information

Irrigation in India includes a network of major and minor canals from Indian rivers, groundwater well based systems, tanks, and other rainwater harvesting projects for agricultural activities. Of these systems, groundwater system is the largest. Irrigation in India helps improve food security, reduce dependence on monsoons, improve agricultural productivity and create rural job opportunities. Dams used for irrigation projects help produce electricity and transport facilities, as well as provide drinking water supplies to a growing population, control floods and prevent droughts.

The main functions of Irrigation Department are as below: 1.) Asses the water resources in the state, frame policy for making general plan for the complete water sector. Issue guidelines for optimum development of water resources. 2.) Bring uniformity in development of water resources and to prepare plans for use of water resources with the help of research and Technology. 3.) Make policy and obtain resources for irrigation and drainage work for development of irrigation and command area. 4.) Make policy for integrated and planned use of Ground water and surface water resources for irrigation and other uses. 5.) Perform surveys and investigation and prepare designs and detailed reports for projects. 6.) Construction, operation and maintenance of Major, Medium, Minor Projects, Lift and tube-well irrigation department schemes. 7.) Design and construction of Flood control projects. 8.) Quality control and testing of construction material. 9.) Maintain and review the functionality of Irrigation systems and take actions to improve the irrigation potential. 10.) Collect and update the Hydro-logical data and use them in planning of projects.While doing research on the Gomti Riverfront, we contacted the chief engineer for his comments on the on going project. After the feed-backs we asked irrigation department for DPR and EIA of the Gomti River Front Project. We will track the proceedings through this action group.