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Indira Gandhi canal sparks green revolution in Rajasthan

The Indira Gandhi Canal seems to be changing the face of Rajasthan's deserts.

Launched a few years ago, the canal has transformed the barren deserts of Jaisalmer district into rich and lush fields.

Crops of mustard, cotton and wheat now flourish in the semi-arid western region of the state where nothing but sand ruled the roost for years.

As the second stage of work on the canal progresses rapidly, there is hope that it will enhance the living standards of the people of the state.

Rajasthan stands at the bottom of the five most backward states of the country in terms of economic development.

A group of visiting journalists were told by canals's superintending engineers V P Mathur and V K Mathur that it was was one of the most gigantic projects of the world, aiming to ''de-desertify and transform the northern-western Thar desert of Rajasthan into an agriculturally productive area''.

Besides providing water for the crops, the canal would supply drinking water to hundreds of people in the far-flung areas.

After completion -- 1054.26 km out of the 2034.85-km-long canal was completed by March -- irrigation facilities would be available in an area of 677,000 hectares in Jaisalmer district and 3700 hectares in Barmer district.

Irrigation facility has already been provided in an area of 367,000 hectares in Jaisalmer district.

UNI

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