Boundary and Area of the Project

The TBIP is the largest irrigation project of Bangladesh. It stands across the Teesta river at Dalia-Doani point in Lalmonirhat district. The project is bounded by the Teesta river on the North, the Atrai river on the West, Shantahar-Bogra railway line on the south and Bogra-Kaunia railway line on the East. It is being implemented for irrigation, flood control and drainage for a command area of 750,000 hectares of which 540,000 hectares are irrigable. The project covers seven districts of northern Bangladesh. However, the TBIP command area covers parts of the administrative districts of Nilphamari, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Bogra, Gaibandha and Joypurhat though the barrage itself is situated at Doani in the district of Lalmonirhat.

Project Background

Most of the rivers in Bangladesh which have their upstream in India, flow to the south towards the Bay of Bengal, which not only bring misery for the people but also every year they bring alluvial sediments and make the land more fertile, help to produce more crops. In spite of expansion of population and predominant agrarian economy, such lands can produce sufficient food to feed the population of Bangladesh, if proper modernization policy and planning can be implemented. The economy of Bangladesh depends on agriculture and Bangladesh is continuing her effort for economic development by increasing agricultural production. As an effort, the Government of Bangladesh undertook and completed the TBIP for irrigation purposes to boost agricultural production by bringing more land under cultivation during the dry season. The idea of irrigation from the Teesta River was conceived since British time (1935).

The Teesta Barrage has been completed in 1990 to provide irrigation water in three crop seasons from the river through canal networks in the TBIP catchment area. It is a concrete structure of 615 m long fitted with 44 radial gates having a discharge capacity at 12,750 cusec. Water is diverted by the Barrage through a canal head regulator at 110 m long with a discharge capacity of 280 cusec. There is 4,500 km long network of canal system for supply of irrigation water to the field. In order to exclude silt from entering into canal system, silt trap covering an area of 45.0 hectares has been constructed just below the head regulator. Moreover, improvement of the internal drainage system (about 5,000 km) has been removed drainage congestions from the project area. Besides, the flood affected area along the Teesta river is protected from flood by an earthen flood embankment. The construction of 80 km flood embankment with nearly 10 km bank protection (sand cement block & c.c. block revetment) has been completed and the major portion of the project is being protected from flood. The project was planned to be completed in two phases. The phase 1 has been completed in 1998. The phase I (restructured) has a command area of 154,250 hectares with a net irrigable area of 111,406 hectares. It comprises construction of Barrage, flood, embankment, flood bypass, silt trap, main canal, and part of canal system with improvement of drainage. The remaining area will be developed under phase-II that is under construction.

Present Status of Project

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 utilization of the 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 were 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 district wise.
5. The drinking water supply for Siliguri Municipal Areas has been affected 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 :

• Teesta Barrage at Oodlabari
• Pick up Barrage on –
  1. River Mahananda at Fulbari in Rajganj Block in Jalpaiguri District.
  2. River Dauk in Chopra Block in Uttar Dinajpur District.

Lined Right Bank Main Canal System in four reaches of:

1. Teesta Mahananda Link Canal (25.64 km.)
2.  Mahananda Main Canal (32.33 km.)
3. Dauk Nagar Main Canal (80.62 km.)
4. Nagar Tangon Main Canal (30.50 km.)

• 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.
• Construction of 27 Nos. of Regulator and Fall structures, including 3 Nos. of Power Falls.
• Construction of 166 Nos. of bridges on main canals including crossings of Railway Lines, National Highway, State Highway and Major District Roads.
• 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.
• Construction of residential and non-residential buildings, stack-yards, stores and godowns throughout the Project Area.
• Construction of Inspection paths, approach roads and other allied works.

State of Execution

• Teesta Barrage, Mahananda Barrage and Dauk Barrage have been completed.
• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Nagar Tangon Main Canal (NTMC)

  Micro-survey works have been taken up.

• 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.