Lucknow: Jargo Dam in Uttar Pradesh’s Mirzapur district is expected to receive a significant boost in water availability following the restoration of two damaged under-sluice gates on the Meja-Jargo Link Canal. The repair work has improved water supply to the dam, raising hopes that it could reach full capacity after nearly three decades.
The canal is currently supplying 229 cusecs of water to the dam. The restoration has also prevented the wastage of approximately 150 cusecs of water that was previously leaking through the faulty gates.
The project is expected to benefit around 15,000 farmers and provide irrigation support to approximately 6,300 hectares of agricultural land, improving water availability for both the Kharif and Rabi cropping seasons.
Anil Garg, Principal Secretary, Irrigation and Water Resources, said the state government was focusing on improving irrigation infrastructure and ensuring the optimal utilisation of available water resources under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s leadership.
The 71.130-km-long Meja-Jargo Link Canal, which has a carrying capacity of 580 cusecs, plays an important role in the region’s irrigation network by connecting water bodies and canals to Jargo Dam.
For years, the two under-sluice gates at the canal head had remained damaged, resulting in continuous leakage. The problem also prevented the cleaning of accumulated silt along a stretch of nearly 10 km downstream, affecting the canal’s water-carrying capacity and irrigation operations.
Challenging repairs using modern technology
Upendra Singh, Chief Engineer (Mechanical), said the restoration was technically challenging because the gates were located approximately 15 metres below the water surface, where the pressure was around 2.5 times atmospheric pressure.
The Irrigation Workshop Division team from Bareilly adopted a phased approach, initially controlling the leakage with specialised materials to make the underwater repair work safer.
A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) equipped with a 4K video camera was then deployed to inspect both sides of the gates and identify damaged components, gaps in rubber seals and holes in the surrounding walls.
Following the inspection, the damaged grooves were repaired and a new stop-log gate was installed underwater. Both service gates were removed for repairs, and worn-out rubber seals, rollers and bearings were replaced. Holes in the walls were filled using specialised high-pressure repair material.
After reinstallation, the gates underwent leakage testing, restoring their ability to regulate water flow and preventing substantial water loss.
Relief for farmers
Improved water supply to Jargo Dam is expected to strengthen irrigation facilities across the surrounding agricultural areas. The restoration will also enable silt removal along the canal, helping improve its efficiency further.
With approximately 15,000 farmers and 6,300 hectares of farmland expected to benefit, the project is aimed at improving irrigation reliability, supporting crop production and ensuring more efficient use of water resources in Mirzapur district.
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