Bijnor Barrage releases water for irrigation in 5 UP dists

Bijnor: The UP irrigation department on Monday released water into Upper Ganga Canal (Phase-I) from the Bijnor Barrage after recent rainfall in the hills and plains filled the Ganga ponding area to the required level.The release has provided water for irrigation to farmers in Muzaffarnagar, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr and Aligarh.Officials said the ponding process began after all 28 barrage gates were closed on July 1, raising the water level to the required 221.5 metres above mean sea level for canal operation. By Sunday, the Ganga flow had crossed 21,000 cusecs, making the release possible.Water was initially released at 800 cusecs and will be gradually increased to the canal’s full capacity of 8,280 cusecs within the next 24 hours.

Engineers will regulate the required reservoir level by opening selected barrage gates if inflows exceed demand.The barrage continues to release around 800 cusecs through the permanent Ramdhara outlet, between gates 20 and 21.Executive engineer Karanpal Singh said, “Canal operations depend entirely on upstream water availability, and the current inflow has made it possible to resume irrigation supplies after a prolonged dry spell in June.”