The construction of the Shah Canal, which will bring the state’s share of irrigation water from Pong Dam to farmers of Kangra district after a wait of about 40 years, is complete. Irrigation officials have released water into the canal and found the project to be fit for use for irrigation purposes. Chief Engineer, Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) Department, Parvez Akhtar said the canal had been commissioned in technical terms. The 45-km-long canal is the first irrigation project for hilly areas in the country and has emerged as an “engineering marvel”. Sources said the model was now being replicated in other hill states of the country. Under the project, water of the Beas, picked up from the Talwara barrage, passes through tunnels and aqua-ducts of Shah Canal before reaching fields in Indora block of Kangra district. The water passes through 12-km-long aquaducts through its 45-km length. The aqua-ducts have been constructed at a height of 25 metres from the ground level at various places using RCC pillars. It is the longest aquaduct used in a canal irrigation project in the country. The canal’s unique design has been developed by engineers of the department. Besides constructing the main canal, the department is also constructing RCC minor and sub-minor canals for carrying water to fields. The canal water will provide irrigation facilities in 93 villages of the Indora area. The Irrigation Department is in the process of forming Krishak Vikas Sanghs in villages, which will keep the department updated about the demand of water drains by farmers from minor and sub-minor canals. These bodies will also decide on the irrigation turns to be given to farmers. Sources said the government had approved an additional amount of Rs 68 crore for developing the “drain command area” of the canal. The initial deadline for the completion of the project was March, last year. However, the project was delayed due to hurdles in environmental clearances and litigation by locals. The agreement for the construction of the canal between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh was signed in 1983. The initial cost of the project was Rs 143 crore. While Himachal Pradesh was to contribute 40 per cent of the cost, Punjab had to contribute 60 per cent of the expenses. However, the Punjab Government paid only Rs 66 crore for the project. Due to the delay in the payment of the rest of the expenses, the cost of constructing the canal rose to Rs 392.85 crore. Finally, the Union Government contributed 90 per cent of total cost of the project under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) while the remaining 10 per cent was contributed in 60:40 ratio by Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. The project The 45-km-long canal is the first irrigation project for hilly areas in the country Water of the Beas, picked up from the Talwara barrage, passes through tunnels and aqua-ducts of the canal before reaching fields in Indora block of Kangra district PHE Department will form Krishak Vikas Sanghs in villages, which will keep the department updated about the demand of water drains by farmers