Open Canal System
- Water flows naturally using gravity.
- More water is lost through seepage and evaporation.
- Farmers at the far end often receive less water.
Efficiency ~38%
// Background
Rajgarh — On the Verge of Desertification
Before 2014, Rajgarh — Madhya Pradesh's western-most district bordering the arid regions of Rajasthan — had only 60,000 Ha under irrigation, representing just 8% of its total geographical area. The region faced acute water scarcity. Farmers were forced into seasonal migration to neighbouring states, Traditional open canal systems were insufficient, fragmented and unreliable, and the topography did not favour gravity-driven water delivery.
In 2014, the Government launched construction of two major multipurpose dams Mohanpura on the Newaj River and Kundalia on the Kalisindh River — completed in record time of just three years (2018).
Assessments revealed that conventional open canal systems could not serve the full command area due to limited water availability. The Newaj sub-basin demanded ~877 MCM but Mohanpura dam could only supply 511 MCM for agriculture. A paradigm shift was essential.
Lift Irrigation
- Water is pumped to higher areas.
- Requires more electricity and costs more to operate.
- Water delivery is harder to control.
Efficiency ~43–48%
Mohanpura Model
- Water is supplied through underground pipes.
- Better control, less loss
- Better control over water distribution.
Efficiency ~80%+
// Hydrology
Rivers of the System
Two dams on two rivers storing over 1,200 MCM of water to irrigate the drought-prone heartland of central India.
Newaj River — Mohanpura Dam
The Mohanpura Dam, constructed on the Newaj River (a tributary of the Chambal), has a storage capacity of 616.27 MCM and serves an irrigation command area of over 1,51,500 hectares through the Mohanpura Right Bank (34,254) and Left Bank (1,17,246) sub-projects.
- Total Storage 616.27 MCM
- For Irrigation 510.96 MCM
- Industrial Use 5.00 MCM
- Drinking Water 12.60 MCM
Kalisindh River — Kundalia Dam
The Kundalia dam on the Kalisindh river (also a Chambal tributary) stores 582.75 MCM. It provides irrigation to 1,40,475 Ha across its right (67,091 Ha) and left bank (63,548 Ha) command areas, serving 208 villages in the Kundalia Right Bank project alone.
- Total Storage 582.75 MCM
- Live Storage 552.75 MCM
- Industrial Use 15.00 MCM
- Drinking Water 10.00 MCM
// History
Districts & Command Areas
From the Verge of Desertification to a Global Benchmark: The Journey of the Mohanpura–Kundalia Irrigation Project
Rajgarh & Agar-Malwa, Madhya Pradesh
Primary project districts
- Rajgarh
- Agar-Malwa
Sub-Project Command Areas
- Mohanpura Right Bank 25,600 Ha
- Mohanpura Left Bank 98,116 Ha
- Left Bank Ext. (Pachore) 16,985 Ha
- Right Bank Extension 6,454 Ha
- Left Bank Ext. Part II 2,145 Ha
- Chhayan Balbhadurpu System 2,200 Ha
- Kundalia Left Bank 63,548 Ha
- Kundalia Right Bank 67,091 Ha
- Kundalia Right Bank Ext. 9,836 Ha
Total Command Area
2,91,975 Ha
