Lifeline of Chandauli's rice bowl, Chandraprabha dam, to be repaired with ₹12.58 cr budget

Varanasi. Chandraprabha dam, a critical source of irrigation in the Chandauli district of East Uttar Pradesh, is set to undergo a major overhaul after years of neglect. The 1956-built dam, which irrigates nearly 25,890 hectares of farmland through its 53 canals, was declared a distressed dam by the Dam Safety Review Committee in 2002 due to significant leakages and damage to its spillway body and sluice gate.

Despite its importance to the local economy and wildlife, the dam had been ignored for nearly two decades, leading to a shortfall in irrigation and damage to the environment. The situation had become so dire that the government of Uttar Pradesh has approved a budget of Rs 12.58 crore for its repair and rejuvenation, according to Chandauli district magistrate Isha Duhan.

The repair work will include fixing the leakages and damage to the spillway body, sluice gate, and emergency gate, as well as the cutting of breaching sections to release water during excessive rains. With the completion of the project, an additional 323 million cubic meters of water can be stored in the rain-fed dam, increasing irrigated areas by 3,248 hectares in the rabi season and 1,516 hectares in the kharif season. The repair work will also ensure a continuous water supply to the villages and wildlife in the surrounding areas.

The Chandraprabha dam is one of six dams in the Chandauli district, and it is the only one that is completely rainfed. The dam is critical to the local economy as it irrigates nearly 25% of the total cultivated areas in Chandauli, and its water is also used in many nearby villages. Moreover, the dam charges the Rajdari and Devdari waterfalls, which are major tourist attractions in the region.

Chandauli district magistrate Isha Duhan said that the repair and rejuvenation work will help in maintaining the attraction of the waterfalls by keeping them charged round the year. Additionally, wildlife in the nearby jungles of Chakia range depend on the dam, making its repair even more critical.

The project is expected to be completed within the allocated budget and on time, according to the district magistrate. The government of Uttar Pradesh has taken swift action to approve the budget and allocate the funds for the repair and rejuvenation of the Chandraprabha dam, which has been a long-awaited relief for the residents and farmers of the Chandauli district.

The repair and rejuvenation of the Chandraprabha dam will have a significant impact on the local economy, environment, and tourism industry. The allocation of funds by the government of Uttar Pradesh is a welcome relief for the residents of the Chandauli district, who have been struggling for decades due to the neglect of the dam. The repair work is expected to be completed on time, and it will ensure a continuous water supply to the villages, wildlife, and tourist attractions in the surrounding areas.