PURBANCHAL UNIVERSITY

ARYAN SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT

MID BANESHWOR, KATHMANDU
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

A Report on:- Irrigation and Drainage Engineering

Title:- Field Visit Report on Irrigation Project

SUBMITTED BY: SUBMITTED TO:

Sudip Khadka (2020BCE1138) Department of Civil Engineering
Aryan College of Engineering
Mid-Baneshwor Kathmandu

Date of Submission:- 2081/04/30

PREFACE

A 3 days and 2 nights field visit to irrigation projects namely Bagmati Irrigation Project was
organized by Aryan School of Engineering & Management. The field visit was from Ashar 7 to Ashar
9, 2081 B.S. as per the curriculum of Purbanchal University. We were able to visit and see the
different components of Irrigation projects which helped us to grab the knowledge about them
visually. It is our belief that the report will serve to introduce about Irrigation Project. For this I
would like to show my gratitude to Er. Abhash Acharya, HOD, Department of Civil Engineering,
Aryan College of Engineering, and all other who helped us directly and indirectly during our trip and
field visit. We would like to extend our gratitude to our friends who helped us to prepare this report
and made our field visit unforgettable.

Sincerely
Sudip Khadka
Civil 2020 Batch

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We must express our sincere gratitude towards Department of Civil Engineering, Aryan School of
Engineering for organizing the field trip for Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. We must express
our deep sense of gratitude towards Head of Department, Er. Abhash Acharya sir for organizing
the trip. We are deeply indebted to Er. Ranjan Dhungel sir for sharing a part of his brain and for
proper guidance during field trip. We should like to thank Er. Prakash Dahal sir for properly
guiding us in our field trip.

We must acknowledge our deep sense of gratitude to the staffs of Bagmati Irrigation Project for
providing us the opportunity to visit the respective places. We must acknowledge our obligation to
all the non- teaching staff of the Field trip for making our work a success. Also, we wish to record
our appreciation to our friends for providing the inexpressible amount of support and guidance. We
are highly obliged to all the people who supported us directly and indirectly throughout the duration
of the field visit to the submission of this report. Thanks are due to our family and friends who
supported us on our field visit.

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ABSTRACT
This report deals with Irrigation projects and their components. Irrigation engineering is a field of
engineering which would discuss the uses of irrigation in crop production and how new principles
and technologies can be used and applied for irrigational practices.

This report encompasses the valuable information about the Bagmati irrigation projects of Nepal
being based on the three days long field visit to the areas. This report presents the general
information of those irrigation projects of Nepal and even a detailed evaluation related to their
history, background, and present status. On the other hand, this report is a detailed description of the
irrigation projects on the basis of their construction cost, affected districts, problems, type of
diversion head works, river training works adopted, regulating structures provided as well methods
being adopted to control and mitigate different problems that are mainly responsible for the reduction
in the efficiency of their performance.

Bagmati irrigation project was initially run as multipurpose project. Its construction was aided by
UNDP, Debt Relief Fund (Japan), and is now being in function by loan from Saudi Arabia. Major
headwork components include under sluice portion, divide wall, canal head regulator, canal portion,
and river training work such as earthen guide banks. Also, a provision of flood control is done by
construction of bypass. According to field survey of 1999, there has been increase in 34.98% of total
production in and around the irrigation project area which concludes that there is significantly good
impact of the project and effectively running very smoothly till date.

Keywords: Irrigation, Lift, Mitigate, Headwork, Efficiency, Diversion

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Table of Contents
PREFACE ............................................................................................................................................... i
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ....................................................................................................................ii
ABSTRACT ..........................................................................................................................................iii
1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background of Irrigation in Nepal ....................................................................................... 1
2. OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................................ 1
3. METHODOLOGY ........................................................................................................................ 2
4. STUDY AREA............................................................................................................................... 2
4.1 BAGMATI IRRIGATION PROJECT............................................................................ 2
5. OBSERVATIONS AND ANALYSIS .......................................................................................... 4
5.1 OBSERVATIONS ON BAGMATI IRRIGATION PROJECT.............................................. 4
6. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION ............................................................................................ 7
7. RECOMMENDATION .................................................................................................................. 7
8. REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................ 7
9. PHOTOS TAKEN DURING FIELD VISIT ................................................................................ 8

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 1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of Irrigation in Nepal
The adoption of irrigation of Nepal is not a new thing, as it appears to be, because sufficient proofs
are available in history of Nepal, which confirm that irrigation was being practiced not only during of
RANAS, SHAHI but even during the period of Lichhivi. The first national irrigation project in Nepal is
Chandra Nahar during period of Chandra Samsher in Saptari district (1965 B.S) irrigating command area
of 10000 hectare and still in operation. In field work various parts headworks, intake structures, canals,
cross drainage structures etc. were carefully observed, analyzed, and studied in detail.
More than 81% people are engaged in agriculture in Nepal. Agriculture is the main source of income in
Nepal. As per record of Government of Nepal, Ministry of Finance, 2054/55, more than 40% of national
income comes from agriculture in Nepal but the growth rate in agriculture is only 2.4%. Since the living
standard of people is directly related to the income of people in any country, there is an urgency to maintain
and enhance the income of country like Nepal. In case of our country, a major concern has to be given in
the field of agriculture because of the fact that major portion of the national income comes from agriculture.
In order to extract major yields from agriculture and in turn enhance the economy of our country, it is
important that we improve the agriculture system by a better and more scientific method of irrigation apart
from use of improved seeds, fertilizers etc.
The agriculture can be the source of employment to many people of our country that is currently jobless if
we can utilize almost all the available arable lands. It is believed that more than 50% of the land of our
country is used only for seasonal agricultural products. Agriculture Perspective Plan has stressed the role
of agriculture in generation of employment opportunities and improving the living standard of people. This
plan has also defined irrigation as a strategic input and has prescribed the conjunctive use of water in Terai
region. As the agricultural sector contributes a significant amount to the national income, the change in
national income is a direct reflection of the change in agricultural production.
If we can arrange better irrigation facilities in our country, the national income can be increased
significantly. When national income increases, the per capita income will also increase. This is an effective
indicator of economic growth. Thus, it is essential to analyze the parameter of agricultural growth. In this
connection, irrigation is one of the most important inputs to increase the agricultural product particularly
in the following two grounds. Firstly, we can increase the agricultural product in the cultivated land with
irrigation by enhancing the efficiency of rest auxiliary inputs. And, secondly, we can extensively cultivate
the uncultivated agricultural land providing irrigational national facilities.
However there has not been much significant steps taken place in Nepal. Out total 2.18-million-hectare
irrigable land in Nepal, 1.74 million ha is in the plains of Terai region and rest 0.44 million is situated in
the valleys of the hill. Out of these potential irrigable areas, just 1.766 million ha has been provided
irrigation and out of which some 1.06 million ha. are already developed (i.e., provided with infrastructure)
for irrigation. Of the latter figure, however, only about 71 percent is actually irrigated. That leaves some
29 percent of the developed command area that could be brought under irrigation with relative ease, in
addition to the nearly 700,000 ha, yet to be developed for irrigation. Areas covered by surface and ground
water irrigation are 854,000 and 206,000 ha respectively and representing 80.6 percent and 19.4 percent
respectively of the total irrigated area.

2. OBJECTIVES
i. To find out the type of diversion headwork
ii. To get familiar with the components from headwork to canal outlet
iii. To know about the provisions for high flooding
iv. To gather information about the regulating structures and cross drainage structures
v. To know about the water losses during conveyance
vi. To know about total command area, canal design discharge and major water sources
vii. To know about the past disasters if any
viii. To determine the socio-economic benefits of the projects in local and national scale

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 3. METHODOLOGY
The main methodology we followed for the accomplishment of our objectives of the field trip was
following the explanations made by the related personnel working on respective irrigation projects.
Similarly, for the study, the brochures and the information boards were used. Photographs of the location
were taken and the important points were noted. Similarly, the different literatures were also followed for
the reliability of data. In the same way, internet records were utilized to gather information regarding
different factors of the projects.

4. STUDY AREA

1) Bagmati Irrigation Project

4.1 BAGMATI IRRIGATION PROJECT

Location: Karmaiya, Sarlahi
Establishment: 2050/04/05
Geological Coordinates: 27° 07'53" N and 85° 28'59” E
Facilitated District: Sarlahi, Rautahat, Bara, Mahottari
Total Command Area: 122000 hectares
Canal Design Discharge: 8000m3/sec
Design Flood: 100-year return period
Major Water Source: Bagmati River
Construction Cost: NRs. 37,809,610.25 (estimated)
Maintenance Cost: 1.5 to 2 crores yearly
Owner: Ministry of Water Resources, Department of Irrigation, Government of Nepal
Financier: Government of Nepal
Sedimentation Problem: Siltation problem is high due to Deforestation and Mobile Boundary.
Diversion Headwork: Barrage
Components from Headwork to Canal Outlet: Barrage, under sluices, Divide Wall, Fish ladder,
Canal Head Regulator, Silt ejector
Provision in case of High Flooding:
i. The system can withstand 10000 cumecs of water.
ii. Hydraulic and Structural Design is adopted.
River Training Work Adopted: Guide Banks, Marginal Bunds, Pitched Island, Bandalling
Regulating Structure provided: Head Regulators
Cross Drainage Structure: Syphon Super passage, Aqueduct
Major Causes of Water Losses:
i. Seepage losses
ii. High Percolation
iii. Not closing of gate properly
Major Crops in Command Area: Paddy, Rahar Dal
Future Project: Sunkoshi-Marine Diversion Project

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 Fig: Bagmati Irrigation Project
Bagmati irrigation project is located in the central region of Nepal and diverts water from Bagmati River
through diversion barrage structure located at Karmaiya, Sarlahi district. This project is initially
conceptualized as a multipurpose project to develop irrigation facilities over an irrigable area of 122000ha
of Bara, Rautahat, Sarlahi, and Mahottari district and to generate electricity of 140 MW by constructing a
117m high dam. Bagmati irrigation project was commenced as Sunkoshi terai project and the study was
conducted by UNDP and FAO FROM 1967 TO 1972 A.D. The government then started the construction
by the usage of self-resources and equipment’s after which the constructed was economically aided by
UNDP and Debt Relief Fund (Japan) and is now being in function by the loan from Saudi Development
Fund. The main objectives, the project carries are to provide the efficient irrigation facilities to 37000ha
agricultural lands which thereby work as the aid to the socio-economic uplifting of the living standard of
the farmers.
This irrigation project has the following properties:
Barrage

Design discharge=8000m3/sec
By pass channel=2500m3/sec
Total=10500m3/sec
Length=403.50m
Duty=1.34lt/sec
No. of gate=30 nos. (9*3m)
No. of fish ladder=2nos. (1.5*4m)
No. of under sluice=6nos. (9*4m)

Eastern H/R
Maximum discharge=64.4m3/sec
No. of gate=7nos.
Western H/R
Maximum discharge=48.4m3/sec
No. of gate=5nos.(4x2m)
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 5. OBSERVATIONS AND ANALYSIS
The different information that we have collected in order to meet our objectives of the trip are collected
and analyzed. The description of them is as follows:

5.1 OBSERVATIONS ON BAGMATI IRRIGATION PROJECT

5.1.1 Under Sluice Portion
The under sluices are the openings provided at the base of the weir or barrage. These openings are provided
with adjustable gates. Normally, the gates are kept closed. The crest of the under-under sluice portion of
the weir is kept at a lower level (1 ~ 1.5 m) than the crest of the normal portion of the weir. The suspended
silt goes on depositing in front of the canal head regulator. When the silt deposition becomes appreciable
the gates are opened and the deposited silt is loosened with an agitator mounting on a boat. The muddy
water flows towards the downstream through the scouring sluices. The gates are then closed. But, at the
period of flood, the gates are kept opened.

5.1.2 Divide Wall

Fig: Divide Wall

The divide wall is a masonry or concrete wall constructed at right angle to the axis of the weir. The divide
wall extends on the upstream side beyond the beginning of the canal head regulator, and on the downstream
side, it extends up to the end of the loose protection of the under-sluices. In this irrigation project, cement
concrete divide wall observed.

5.1.3 Canal Head Regulator

Fig: Canal Head Regulator

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A structure which is constructed at the head of the canal to regulate flow of water is known as canal head
regulator. It consists of a number of piers which divide the total width of the canal into a number of spans
which are known as bays. The piers consist of number tiers on which the adjustable gates are placed. The
gates are operated form the top by suitable mechanical device. A platform is provided on the top of the
piers for the facility of operating the gates. Again, some piers are constructed on the downstream side of
the canal head to support the roadway.

5.1.4 Canal Portion

Fig: Main canal

The main canal is lined with cement concrete and was in functioning state. The distributary canal was not
working and the components of the canal were on the deteriorated state because of rusting.

5.1.5 Disaster history and risks

The highest flood was recorded on 4th and 5th Shrawan, 2050 which took the life of two Chinese workers
and destroyed the divide walls and other structures of the headwork. The upstream of this irrigation project
is prone to landslides and flood due to steep slopes and degraded watersheds. Also, there is the problem of
sedimentation problem for which Bagmati River Basin improvement Programs are being conducted.

5.1.6 Provision for high flood

Bypass of capacity 2500m3/sec is provided for the emergency case especially for high flood periods to
protect the barrage from effects of high discharge.

5.1.7 River protection

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5.1.8 Socio-economic benefits of project: The irrigation has positive impact on agricultural
production, farm income and employment. But the extent of impact depends on various factors such as
cropping intensity, crop type, management of irrigation facilities, farming technology etc. Therefore, the
impact may vary by place to place and project to project. The primary data collected within the outside the
Bagmati Irrigation Project command area that could determine the impact of irrigation in following ways:

Table 1: Effect of Irrigation on Total Output

Total output (kg)
Crops Without With Change in % Change
Irrigation Irrigation Total
Paddy (Rain 1542.40 2182.40 640.00 41.49
Seasons Crops)
Wheat (Winter 1323.00 1625.05 302.05 22.83
Crops)
Maize (Winter 673.75 887.81 214.06 31.77
Crops)
Other (Winter 248.36 417.22 168.86 67.99
Crops)
Total 5112.48 1324.98 34.98
Source: Field Survey, 1999. Note: Other crops include Mustard, Dal etc.
From Table 1, we come to know that there is 34.98% increase in the total production with irrigation facility.
Among the four cultivated crops, mustard and oil-seeds have been found more affected by irrigation. The
productions of mustard and oil-seeds have increased by 67.99% in irrigated land compared to their
production in non-irrigated land. The production of paddy, on the other hand, has also increase by 41.49
percent. Because of the availability irrigation facility, there has been possible to cultivate some of the
agricultural lands three times a year. Thus, Bagmati Irrigation Project has increased the total production of
farmers significantly.

5.1.9 Effect of Irrigation on Farm Income

The agricultural production has been increased in irrigated land as reflected in Table 2. To get farm income,
the annual physical productions of both irrigation and non-irrigated lands have been converted into
monetary term.
Farm income
Crops Without With Change in % Change
Irrigation Irrigation Total
Paddy (Rain 7021.00 14885.5 7864.50 112.014
Seasons Crops)
Wheat (Winter 7413.0 10783.5 3370.50 45.46
Crops)
Maize (Winter 5143.00 7742.00 2599.00 50.53
Crops)
Other (Winter 3769.00 7643.00 3874.00 102.78
Crops)
Total 23346.00 41054.00 17708.00 75.85
Table 2: Effect of Irrigation on Farm Income
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6. CONCLUSION AND DISCUSSION
In this way, our field visit was successfully completed with the proper achievement of all our objectives
that we were destined to accomplish. Hence the field visit was fruitfully terminated.
Nepal is landlocked agricultural country. Almost 80% of Nepalese depends upon agriculture. We had
concluded that such multi proposed irrigation projects should run effectively under systematic management
and maintenance for rising state of local people as well as to strengthen national economy. Local people as
well as Nepal government should monitor time to time these projects for efficient operation of irrigation
projects. The irrigation project plays an important role in the country's economy. The irrigation project is
directly and indirectly affecting the economy of the country and countrymen. Hence, proper operation of
every components of the system is vital and a small hurdle in the working can be proved a much
disadvantageous. Thus, proper care should be taken for proper functioning of the system. However, during
our field visit, we observed different problems like deposition of sediments in canal, stopping of working
of certain canal, silting and so on.
Thus, these problems need to be taken care of for which the related committee should be attentive and
active. All in all, the field visit is accomplished successfully from which we visualized the things we studied
in classroom.

7. RECOMMENDATION
The problems of sedimentation and silting should be taken care of. Similarly, the concerned authorities
should regularly monitor and maintain the working condition of the irrigation projects so as to ensure
continuous supplies to people. In other ways, the government should be able to attract foreign companies
to invest and to further expand the irrigation project and hence extend its approachability in terms of its
command area.
Similarly, I would like to recommend the related personnel to regularly check and balance the problems
of the project and the same that might occur in future in case if they are not properly maintained at present.
Also, some of the components of the projects are very worse in condition and most of them are rusted.
Hence, a due concern should be given by all.

8. REFERENCES
1. Singh, G. (2010). Irrigation Engineering. New Delhi: Rajsons Publications
2. Garg, S.K. (2011). Irrigation Engineering and Hydraulic Structures. New Delhi: Khanna
Publishers
3. https://agris.fao.org/agris-search/search.do?recordID=NP19800525511
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gandaki_River
5. https://potlightnepal.com/2019/05/26/narayani-gandak-agreement-benefit-or-burden

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