Heavy rains in the plains and hills of Uttar Pradesh have caused rivers to overflow. Several districts remain under flood threat. However, this year, districts like Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Pilibhit and Barabanki breathed a sigh of relief. Flood impact was minimal here. The major reason is CM Yogi Adityanath’s initiative and dredging of the Sharda Canal.
Sharda Canal was a Flood Crisis
The Sharda Canal passes through nearly 12 districts. During heavy rains in Nepal, lakhs of cusecs of water are releasedinto it. The flow turns violent and floods spread. Every year, thousands of hectares of farmland are flooded. Lakhs of people suffered.
Villagers in the Palia and Nighasan areas lived through this crisis year after year. Fields, villages and even rail tracks went underwater. Files were moved for years, but a real solution never came.
Yogi’s Intervention Brought Change
CM Yogi took the problem seriously. He visited Lakhimpur Kheri and listened to people on the ground. He asked officials why they had not found a permanent solution. Officials said they needed land for an earthen dam. Farmers were not ready to give up land. The estimated cost was ₹180 crore.
Yogi asked if dredging could solve the issue. Experts agreed. A quick decision was made. Dredging work began at just ₹22 crore.
Dredging Offered a Permanent Solution
The results showed immediately. The canal’s flow returned to its proper channel. This year, floodwaters did not enter farms and villages. Sixteen villages and nearly 1.5 lakh people got relief. Farmers were happy that they did not lose fertile land.
The canal now runs in its natural stream. Even strong flows cause less damage. Irrigation systems improved. The government also gained crores in revenue.
Relief for People, Confidence for Officials
Lakhimpur Kheri District Magistrate Durga Shakti Nagpal said villagers are pleased. People thanked the CM for providing a solution without snatching their land. She said this is not just a technical fix, but an example of sensitive governance.
Lesson from the Elgin Bridge
Yogi had applied a similar solution earlier. In 2017, the Elgin Bridge area of the Saryu River faced annual floods. Contracts worth ₹115 crore were awarded every year with no lasting result. Yogi conducted an aerial survey and inspected the ground. He ordered dredging with two machines. The job cost just ₹5 crore. The problem ended permanently.
Vision and Willpower Together
The Sharda dredging proves that firm decisions and strong willpower can avert disasters. Where crores were wastedearlier, permanent solutions now come at lower cost.
Some UP districts still battle floods after heavy rain. But the Sharda Canal model shows that visionary planning can control disasters. This year, lakhs of farmers and villagers got relief. Dredging has opened a lasting path toward flood control and rural progress.
