Question

Which of the following is the largest irrigation canal in the world?
A) Sirhind Canal
B) Panama Canal
C) Indira Gandhi Canal
D) Suez Canal

Answer 1

Hint: A canal is a man-made channel used to transport water to agricultural lands for irrigation. The water is drawn from a river, a tank, or a reservoir. The canals can be built out of concrete, stone, brick, or any type of flexible membrane that can withstand seepage and erosion.

Complete answer:
The Indira Gandhi Canal is the world's largest irrigation project and the country's longest canal. The Indira Gandhi Canal is 649 kilometres long and is made up of two sections: the Rajasthan feeder canal and the Rajasthan main canal. It goes through Punjab and Haryana for 167 kilometres and Rajasthan for the remaining 492 kilometres.

It begins at Harike in the Indian state of Punjab, a few kilometres below the confluence of the Satluj and Beas rivers, and ends at irrigation facilities in Rajasthan's northwestern region. It was once known as the Rajasthan Canal, but it was renamed the Indira Gandhi Canal when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated on November 2, 1984.

This canal is vital because it brings life to Rajasthan's arid regions, which stretch from Sri Ganganagar to Jaisalmer. It has enabled the intensive production of food and cash crops in Rajasthan's desert regions. This canal water has alleviated both drinking water scarcity and agricultural activity across a large portion of Rajasthan. This canal is also assisting in the recovery of agricultural land in desert areas.

Therefore the correct answer is option ‘C’.

Note: Indira Gandhi Canal: The Indira Gandhi Canal is one of India's most important irrigation canals. This canal begins in Punjab's Firozpur and ends in Rajasthan's Thar Desert, where it provides irrigation. Barmer, Bikaner, Churu, Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Sriganganagar are the seven districts of Rajasthan where the canal passes.