Water supply in the Gangnahar from Haridwar will be stopped from Tuesday night for the canal’s annual shutdown. The Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department has scheduled cleaning, repairs and maintenance during the period from Dussehra to Diwali.

The department says water will be released again on Diwali night after the planned work is completed. The shutdown is intended to provide access to parts of the canal that are difficult to inspect or repair while water is flowing.

Cleaning and maintenance from Haridwar to Kanpur

During the shutdown, teams will work at different points along the Gangnahar between Haridwar and Kanpur. The work will include removing silt, sediment and other obstructions from the canal bed, along with necessary repairs and maintenance.

Stopping the flow will make it easier to inspect the canal’s condition and reach sections where cleaning is difficult during normal operations. The department expects the work to help maintain the canal’s water-carrying capacity and support smoother supply in the future.

Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department Executive Engineer Vikas Tyagi said the annual closure is carried out every year from Dussehra to Diwali. He said the shutdown would begin on Tuesday night and that water supply would resume on Diwali night after the scheduled work is completed.

West UP and NCR may feel the impact

Gangnahar water is important for several areas of western Uttar Pradesh. Noida, the NCR, Ghaziabad, Meerut and Muzaffarnagar are among the areas that use canal water for drinking water and irrigation needs.

The shutdown could therefore affect water availability and supply arrangements in areas that depend on the canal. The extent of any impact will depend on local water sources, storage and alternative arrangements available during the closure.

Drinking-water systems linked to the canal and irrigation operations will need to manage the interruption during this period. Water users have also been urged, in practical terms, to use available supplies carefully and avoid unnecessary wastage.

Shutdown linked to Kumbh 2027 preparations

The closure also provides an opportunity to advance proposed construction work along the Gangnahar in Haridwar ahead of Kumbh 2027. Plans include development of ghats across about 5 kilometres along the canal.

With the water flow stopped, construction teams can work more easily in the relevant sections. The proposed ghats are intended to support arrangements for devotees’ movement, bathing and other requirements during the fair.

The maintenance schedule will place responsibility on the department to complete the necessary work within the shutdown period. The next confirmed step is the planned release of water on Diwali night once the cleaning, repair and maintenance work is finished.

Conclusion

The Gangnahar will remain closed from Tuesday night for annual maintenance between Dussehra and Diwali. The shutdown may affect water arrangements in parts of western Uttar Pradesh and the NCR, while the department plans to restart supply on Diwali night.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. When will Gangnahar water supply stop?

Water supply from Haridwar will stop on Tuesday night.

Q. When is water supply expected to resume?

The Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department says supply will resume on Diwali night after the scheduled work is completed.

Q. What work will be carried out during the shutdown?

The work will include canal cleaning, removal of silt and sediment, repairs and other maintenance activities.

Q. Which areas may be affected?

Noida, the NCR, Ghaziabad, Meerut and Muzaffarnagar are among the areas that use Gangnahar water for drinking water and irrigation.

Q. How far will the maintenance work extend?

Cleaning and maintenance activities are planned at different sections between Haridwar and Kanpur.

Q. Why is the shutdown relevant to Kumbh 2027?

The water-free period may help advance proposed ghat construction along about 5 kilometres of the Gangnahar in Haridwar.