Vízügyi Közlemények, 1956 (38. évfolyam)

2. füzet - VII. Kisebb közlemények

(99) IRRIGATION AND HYDROELECTRIC DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA I. Mátrai (Figures and table on pp. 475—505 of Hungarian text) UDC. 626/627 : 338 (54) A comprehensive review on irrigation and hydroelectric development in India is furnished by the author who paid a visit to that country. Having dealt with the physical and geological features he gives a brief summary of the river-system and the discharge conditions typical of the snow and monsoon-fed rivers of India. As regards flood problems the recently caused damages by flood and the envisaged control works are reported. Investigating the available water supply of the country, the present state of utilization as well as future possibilities of development are dealt with. A short summary is given of ancient-time irrigation with some references to comtemporary literature. Subsequent to that, moghul-time and later on up-to-date irrigation works are being discussed. The latest brilliant achievements in this field and in that of power generating capacity may be clearly seen on Fig. 8. Owing to the great succès of the first Five Year Plan, no food problem exists any more in India. In the course of the discussion on hydroelectric possibilities energy resources are also summarized. The. energy consumption of 14 kW per capita of 1951 will be raised to 50 kW per capita about the year 1961, and thus the electrification of small towns and of the greatest part of bigger villages will be solved. Some of the big multiple-purpose developments e. g. Damodar-Valley Development, Bhakra Nangal Project, Hirakud and Tungabhadra Dam etc. are discussed in detail. The article also includes the situation of ancient — and present — time inland navigation. As regards the management of water problems the significant part played by the CW&PC is emphasized, and the advantages arising from the central management of water problems of unified India are discussed. The outstanding scientific achievements and the work of hydraulic research laboratories are also pointed out. India plays significant even leading part in several international scientific organizations, especially in the International Commission of Irrigation and Drainage. The high scientific position occupied by India can be seen from the work of her leading engineers and scientists and from the reports of her research laboratories.