Tembhu Lift Irrigation (Takari & Mhaisal): Asia’s Largest Lift Irrigation Project

Introduction

The Tembhu Lift Irrigation Project is a water management and irrigation project located in the Satara district of Maharashtra, India. The project is designed to provide irrigation water to the agricultural land in the district, especially in drought-prone areas. The project also provides drinking water to nearby villages.

This project consists of two sub-projects – the Mhaisal Lift Irrigation Project and the Takari Lift Irrigation Project. The Mhaisal project involves lifting water from the Koyna River using a pump house and delivering it to the Mhaisal village for irrigation. The Takari project involves lifting water from the Krishna River using a pump house and delivering it to the Takari village for irrigation.

About Project

The Tembhu Lift Irrigation Project provides irrigation water to the agricultural areas in the Satara, Sangli, and Solapur districts of Maharashtra. The project includes three components: the Tembhu Dam, the Mhaisal Lift Irrigation Project, and the Takari Lift Irrigation Project.

Tembhu Lift Irrigation Scheme This project under the Maharashtra Krishna Basin Development Corporation is proposed to provide irrigation benefits to a total of 80,472 hector areas in 7 talukas of Satara, Sangli, and Solapur districts by constructing a barrage near Tembhu village on the Krishna river and lifting water at various stages.

It is planned to provide irrigation benefits to area 80472 hector through different canals from Phase-1A, 1B, Phase-2, Phase-3A, 3B, Phase-4, and Phase-5 under Tembhu Upsa Irrigation Project.

The Tembhu Dam is a concrete gravity dam on the Krishna River, located in the Satara district. It has a capacity of 3.5 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) and was built in 1984. The dam provides irrigation water to the Mhaisal and Takari Lift Irrigation Projects.

The Mhaisal Lift Irrigation Project is a network of canals and pipelines that delivers water from the Tembhu Dam to the Mhaisal and surrounding villages. The project covers an area of 10,000 hectares and provides irrigation to more than 3,000 farmers.

The Takari Lift Irrigation Project is also a network of canals and pipelines that delivers water from the Tembhu Dam to the Takari and surrounding villages. The project covers an area of 7,000 hectares and provides irrigation to more than 2,500 farmers.

Key Points:

Together, these projects have significantly improved the agricultural productivity in the Satara district, particularly for cash crops like sugarcane, grapes, and pomegranates. The projects have also helped to improve the socio-economic conditions of the local farmers by increasing their income and reducing their dependence on rainfall.

The Tembhu Lift Irrigation Project has a total command area of 16,700 hectares and is a joint venture between the Maharashtra government and the central government. Farmers in the drought-prone Satara district face water scarcity problems, and the project aims to reduce it.

Apart from providing irrigation water, the project also generates hydroelectric power. The Tembhu Dam has a power generation capacity of 6.5 MW, which helps to meet the electricity demands of the surrounding areas.

The project has faced some challenges in terms of water availability, especially during drought years. However, the Maharashtra government has taken various steps to address these challenges, including the construction of additional storage reservoirs and the implementation of water conservation measures.

The Tembhu Lift Irrigation Project has been widely appreciated for its contribution to the development of the Satara district. It has helped to improve the lives of thousands of farmers in the region and has also provided employment opportunities in the construction and maintenance of the project infrastructure.

Present Status of Work of Tembhu Lift Irrigation Project

Out of the total 5 phases of the Tembu project, currently, Phase 1A, 1B, Phase 2, Phase 3A, and Phase 3B have been implemented, Phase No. 4 at Vejegaon in November 2018, and Phase No. 5 at Bhud in April 2019. All phases of Visapur Pundi Upsa Yojana for 7700 areas in Tasgaon Taluka have been implemented.

Out of the 427 km of main canals of the Tembu project, 377 km long canals have been completed. Also, these canals have been commissioned. , remaining 50 km of main canal works are progressing under the PDN method.

Distribution system works are in progress and 53,235 ha irrigation capacity has been created out of which 5271 ha has been irrigated through the conventional system and 47964 ha has been created through the closed tube distribution system. A notification issued by the Maharashtra Water Resources Regulatory Authority in the year 2015 mandated the adoption of drip/frost irrigation or similar water-saving methods for the irrigation of perennial crops under the Tembhu Lift Irrigation Scheme. Also, the government issued an order regarding the irrigation distribution policy through pipelines in January 2017. After that, in the government decision issued in May 2017, in order to provide sustainable water for micro-irrigation, 100 hectares should be blocked at each place in the benefit area and decentralized water reservoirs should be created with the capacity to supply the area for at least 15 days. And for that proper distribution arrangements have been ordered. (Data Collected Date 24.01.2020)

Impact of Project

The Tembhu Lift Irrigation Project has also helped to bring about social and economic development in the Satara district. It has provided a reliable source of water for irrigation, which has increased agricultural productivity and helped to improve the socio-economic conditions of the local farmers.

The project has also helped to promote rural entrepreneurship in the region. The availability of irrigation water has encouraged farmers to diversify their crops and explore new business opportunities. Many farmers have started their own agribusinesses, such as grape cultivation, wine production, and agrotourism.

No.	Tehsil	As per the project report, the area of benefit ha.	Directly Irrigated Area Year 2018-19
1	Karad	600	280
2	Kadegaon	9326	6718
3	Khanapur	18975	5078
4	Tasgaon	7700	0
5	Atapadi	16000	8265
6	Kavathemahankal	7872	2159
7	Sangola	20000	6885
	Total	80472	29385

In addition to promoting rural entrepreneurship, the project has also helped to improve the overall infrastructure in the region. The construction of canals and pipelines has provided better access to water for domestic and agricultural use. It has also improved the transportation system, making it easier for farmers to transport their produce to the market.

The Tembhu Lift Irrigation Project has received several awards and recognitions for its contribution to the development of the Satara district. The country has recognized it as one of the best lift irrigation projects and other similar projects in India have adopted it as a model.

Overall, the Tembhu Lift Irrigation Project, including the Mhaisal and Takari Lift Irrigation Projects, has had a significant impact on the socio-economic development of the Satara district. It has helped to improve the lives of thousands of farmers and has contributed to the overall development of the region.

The Tembhu Lift Irrigation Project has also had a positive impact on the environment. The project has helped to conserve water resources by using modern techniques of water management. The canals and pipelines used in the project have been designed to reduce water loss through evaporation and seepage.

The project has also encouraged the adoption of sustainable farming practices in the region. Farmers have been trained on the efficient use of water and have been encouraged to use organic farming methods. This has helped to reduce the use of harmful chemicals in farming, thereby protecting the environment and improving the quality of the produce.

The project has also helped to promote afforestation in the region. The construction of canals and pipelines has resulted in the loss of some forest areas, but the project authorities have made efforts to compensate for this by planting new trees and promoting agroforestry practices.

No.	District	Taluka	Gross Profit Area ha. (GCA)	Cultivable area ha. (CCA)	Irrigated area ha. (ICA)	water consumption	Number of villages in benefit area
1	Satara	Karad	1150	860	600	0.16	3
2	Sangli	Kadegaon	20215	16171	9325	2.55	39
		Khanapur	41135	32921	18975	5.19	55
		Tasgaon	20570	15450	7700	2.11	34
		Atpadi	61568	43100	16000	4.37	47
		K. Mahankal	19370	15497	7872	2.15	31
3	Solapur	Sangola	36500	29200	20000	5.47	31
		Total	200508	153207	80472	22.00	240

The Tembhu Lift Irrigation Project has been successful in meeting the water needs of the agricultural sector in the Satara district. It has helped to reduce the dependence of farmers on rainfall, which is often erratic in the region. The project has also contributed to the overall economic growth of the region by increasing agricultural productivity and promoting rural entrepreneurship.

In conclusion, modern water management techniques have successfully improved the lives of farmers and promoted sustainable development in rural areas through the Tembhu Lift Irrigation Project, along with the Mhaisal and Takari Lift Irrigation Projects.

No.	Info	Stage 1		Stage 2	Stage 3		Stage 4	Stage 5	Total
		1 – A	1 – B		3 – A	3 – B
1	No. of Pumps (Working + Alternate)Total	30 + 3 = 33	36 + 3 = 39	2 + 1 = 3	20 + 2 = 22	4 + 1 = 5	3 + 1 = 4	4 + 1 = 5	99 + 12 = 111
2	Horsepower of each pump	1950	2200	1400	1940	1990	1075	1235
3	Total horsepower regular pump	58500	79200	2800	38800	7960	3225	4940	195425
4	Visapur	2 Satge	Abduction from Arfal canal	–	–	–	–	–	4340
5	Punadi	–	Abduction from Arfal canal	–	–	–	–	–	3549

Some Key Features

• For the planning of a check, a 100 ha. ICA (irrigation command area) is considered.
• The planning takes into account various factors such as storage, village boundaries, physical features, and water user association considerations.
• Farmers should have access to a source of water that can provide a capacity of 1 TCM (thousand cubic meters) per hectare within a distance of 500 meters.
• The chack is planned between two ridges.
• Provision of feeder pipes for storage is made.
• Generally, one outlet per chack at the highest point will be given. If necessary, two outlets for one check can also be given.

Name of Project	Total I.C.A in Ha.	I.C.A on P.D.N in Ha.	I.C.A Created upto March 2020 in Ha.	Total Length of PDN in Kms	Completed Length in Km.	Tested Length in Km.
Tembhu L.I.S	80472	75201	46600	513.738	393.41	91.68
Mhaisal L.I.S	81697	33300	23300	710.00	601.00	326.00
Takari L.I.S	27430	9300	7800	81.00	61.00	58.00
Total	189599	117801	77700	1304.738	1055	475.68

I.C.A – Irrigable Command Area

P.D.N – Primary Distribution Network

Ha – Hector

L.I.S – Lift Irrigation System

Case Study

Project	Tembhu Lift Irrigation project envisages lifting of water from Krishna river in 5 stages to Irrigate 80472Ha area from Satara , Sangli and Solapur dist of Maharashtra
Command Area	Gross command area (GCA) 194888 Ha Culturable command area (CCA) 148010 Ha Irrigable command area (ICA) 80472 Ha Irrigation Potential (IP) 111856 Ha
District wise Command Area ( ICA in Ha)	Satara 600 Ha Sangli 59872 Ha ( Drought Prone ) Solapur 20000 Ha ( Drought Prone Total 80472 Ha

the Tembhu Lift Irrigation Project aims to lift water from the Krishna River in five stages to irrigate an area of 80,472 hectares in the Satara, Sangli, and Solapur districts of Maharashtra, India. The project involves constructing a series of canals, pipelines, and pump houses to lift and transport water to the irrigation command areas (ICAs) in the three districts. The project is expected to improve agricultural productivity and support the livelihoods of thousands of farmers in the region.

• The Tembhu Lift Irrigation Project has a gross command area (GCA) of 194,888 hectares.
• The culturable command area (CCA) of the project is 148,010 hectares.
• The irrigable command area (ICA) of the project is 80,472 hectares.
• The project has an irrigation potential (IP) of 111,856 hectares. This means that the project can potentially provide irrigation water to this much area.
• The Tembhu Lift Irrigation Project spreads across three districts of Maharashtra – Satara, Sangli, and Solapur and commands an area of 80,472 hectares.
• The Satara district has a command area of 600 hectares.
• The Sangli district has the largest command area of 59,872 hectares. This area is classified as drought-prone, which means that it faces a high risk of drought due to low rainfall and other factors.
• The Solapur district has a command area of 20,000 hectares, which is also classified as drought-prone.

Major Components and Sub-Components

Major Components	Sub Components	Status
Head Works	1) Barrage, Pump Houses at stage I A, IB, II, IIIA/B, IV, V civil, electrical and mechanical works, with rising mains and allied works 2) Pump Houses for Visapur Punadi Lifts with rising mains and allied works	1) Barrage on Krishna River also all stages at I A, IB, II, IIIA/B, IV, V are completed and commissioned. 2) All pump houses with rising mains and allied works of Visapur Punadi LIS are completed and commissioned
Main Canals	1) Barrage on Krishna River also all stages at I A, IB, II, IIIA/B, IV, V are completed and commissioned. 2) All pump houses with rising mains and allied works of Visapur Punadi LIS is completed and commissioned	Completed Length Open Main canals 264 Km. Closed pipe canal 136 Km.
Distribution System	Total length of the main canals 430Km Open Canal 264 Km. Closed Pipe Canal 166 Km.	ICA Created Open canal disnet 5271 Ha. Closed pipe canals(PDN) 50108 Ha. PDN under progress 25093Ha.

Stages of Implimentation

1. Preparation of Master Plan of PDN: This involves the preparation of a master plan for the project’s pipeline distribution network (PDN), which outlines the layout and design of the pipelines and other infrastructure required for the project.
2. Revised Administrative Approval to Project: This involves obtaining administrative approval from the relevant authorities for the project, including any revisions or updates to the project plan.
3. Survey, Design, Estimate: This involves conducting detailed surveys of the project site, preparing engineering designs and estimates for the required infrastructure, and finalizing the technical specifications for the project.
4. Tendering: This involves inviting bids from qualified contractors and suppliers for the construction and supply of the required infrastructure and materials.
5. Execution: This involves the actual implementation of the project, including the construction of pipelines, pump houses, canals, and other infrastructure, as well as the installation of equipment and other components required for the project.

Tembhu Lift Irrigation – Design of PDN

1. The PDN design is intended to be technically perfect, economical, and easy to execute.
2. The water requirement for the project is calculated based on the approved RPR (Reservoir Planning Report).
3. RWS (Rotation Water Supply) is considered six days on and six days off. This means that the water supply is provided to the command area for six consecutive days, followed by a gap of six days before the next rotation cycle.
4. The design is done from node to node. This means that the PDN is divided into nodes, with each node representing a specific geographic area or group of farms.
5. The water requirement for the PDN of the Tembhu Project, as per the approved DPR (Detailed Project Report), is as follows:
   • Total Cultivable Area (TCA): 148,010 hectares
   • Total Water Requirement: 496.94 Million Cubic Meter (MCM)
   • Annual Water Requirement: 33.13 MCM
   • Monthly Water Requirement: 2.76 MCM

Ensuring effective and efficient distribution of water supply to the command area and meeting the irrigation needs of the farmers relies critically on designing the PDN.

Tembhu Lift Irrigation – Chack and Outlet Planning

1. The check planning is done considering various factors, including storage, village boundaries, physical features, and water user association considerations.
2. The planning is based on a 100-hectare ICA for one check.
3. The farmers should have a source of water of capacity 1 TCM/ha within 500 meters.
4. The chack is planned between the ridge to ridge. This means that the check is planned to follow the natural topography of the land.
5. The provision of feeder pipes for storage is made to ensure that water is available for irrigation even during periods of low flow.
6. Generally, one outlet per chack at the highest point will be given. If necessary, two outlets for one check can also be given. The number of outlets is based on the water requirements of the farmers in the chack.

The chack and outlet planning is essential to ensure that the water is distributed efficiently and effectively to the farmers. By providing outlets at the highest point of the chack, the water can be distributed evenly to all the farmers. The provision of feeder pipes for storages ensures that the farmers have access to water even during periods of low flow.

Summary of Tembhu Lift Irrigation

The Tembhu Lift Irrigation Project is a large-scale irrigation project in Maharashtra, India. The project aims to lift water from the Krishna River in 5 stages to irrigate an area of 80,472 hectares in the districts of Satara, Sangli, and Solapur. The project involves the construction of a lift irrigation system that includes canals, pipelines, pump houses, and reservoirs. The main objective of the project is to provide irrigation water to the drought-prone areas of Maharashtra and improve agricultural productivity.

The project has a total command area of 148,010 hectares and an irrigation potential of 111,856 hectares. The project has been designed to be technically perfect, economical, and easy to execute. The chack and outlet planning is done carefully to ensure that the water is distributed efficiently and effectively to the farmers. The project has been implemented in various stages, including the preparation of a master plan, survey, design, estimate, tendering, and execution. The Tembhu Lift Irrigation Project is an important infrastructure project that aims to improve the lives and livelihoods of farmers in Maharashtra.