'REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY FOR THE YEAR, 1910-1911' [‎266v] (116/150)

BOMBAY ADMINISTRATION REPORT.
Chap. IV.
PRODUCTION
and
distribution.
The Nara.
Jamrao Canal.
Mitihrao Canal.
Hiral Canal.
t- BOMBAY r Tnv
76 w LI 9 io-i 9lt>
The Nara commands 275,500 acres of culturable area. The cultivation during th e „
was about 49,800 acres against 37,811 acres in the last year and 56 153 acres, the pr > r
10 vears’ average. The increase over last years cultivation is due to floods making ra |j; Us
ticable The Nara was maintained at a total cost of Rs. 19,320 as compared with Rs P^.
snent last year. During the year Rs. 10 ,373 ^ Spe D n , u° n T!"® and
(?) the Nara Left Bank above Makhi Regulator and ( 2 ) the Bakhora Bakar Bund. S
The capital expenditure incurred on the Jamr&o Canal was Rs. 3 8 .3 r 4 after deductin
recoveries from colonists amounting to Rs 7117 or a total of Rs.^ 45 431 This was m “’f
spent on improving 17 th, 46 th, 56 th and 65 th mile regulators, Jamrao Canal, and on 7 th^
regulator, West Branch.
The canal and its minors were maintained m good order at a cost of Rs. 1 , 31,263 agai
Rs. 1 , 37,236 spent during the previous year.
The conditions at the Head Works are fairly satisfactory The main Nara Channel aim
the down stream scour channel have become separated by a silt bank connecting the upper weir
with the large downstream island and effective working of the undersluices has thus been
facilitated. A considerable quantity of silt has entered the canal and is deposited in its firs^
12 miles. This, it is hoped, to pass down below the falls by means of the groynes in the fi rs t
7 miles, which are acting successfully and are being extended to further restrict the undue width
of the canal.
The canal was closed for the remodelling works from 1 st March to 25 th April iqh.
The rainfall was abundant and opportune and it materially helped sowing operations.
The area cultivated during the year was about 189,400 acres as compared with 179,939
acres in the previous year and 241 j49^ 3 -cres, the past 10 years average.
The decrease in the kharif area is due to shortage of water in the early part of the season
and to scarcity of labour j a slight increase is anticipated in the rabi area. Sufficient water was
available, but full advantage was unfortunately not taken of it by zemindars owing to the
anticipated closure of the canal in March 1911 . The chief crop is cotton, which was exception-
ally good, the yield being quite abnormal, notwithstanding its being slightly damaged by frost.
No Egyptian cotton was sown.
No new colonists were imported from the Punjab. An area of 3>4 2 ° acreas was, however,
given to relatives of Punjabis already settled on the canal. Allotments amounting to 6 , 323 acres
were also made.
The Mithrao and its branches were maintained in good order at a cost of Rs. 48,539
against Rs. 44,079 last year. The water-supply this year was excellent. The cultivation will
be about 108,500 acres against last year’s area of 103,343 acres and 136,985 acres, the average
of the previous 10 years. All silt has been cleared from the first 65 miles, and the whole
length of 91 miles groyned where required ; and if properly kept in repairs, there ought to be no
necessity for silt clearance in this length.
The following works were carried out during the year under Extensions and
Improvements :—
( 1 ) Raising and strengthening the Right Bank Bund of Mithrao between
its new Head Regulator and the Bakhora Regulator ...
Removing the old bund on the Right Bank of Mithrao from mile
12/6 to 13 / 2 , 15 feet to the right
Providing screw gates for Karia heads
Raising and strengthening Right Bank Bund above 61 st mile
Regulator
( 5 ) Providing lifting apparatus for raising wales of boat passage of
23 rd mile regulator
Works Nos. 1 , 4 and 5 were completed ; Nos. 2 and 3 are in progress.
A capital expenditure of Rs. 1,167 was incurred on constructing canal Telegraph Offices at
Bakhora, Kanhar, Bareji and Samaro. These were in progress at the end of the year.
The Hiral Canal was opened on the 2 nd June and the supply was sufficient. The area under
cultivation for the year was about 16,000 acres against last year’s area of 15,845 acres a
14,942 acres estimated in the forecast statement. The average cultivation of the last 7 ) ea ^
was 22,752 acres. A better result could be obtained if the channels could be kept clear of wee ^
and can grass. The Executive Engineer reports that a project to remedy this deiec
under preparation.
The canal and its branches were maintained in good order at a cost of Rs. 10,612 ag
Rs. 8,990 spent last year. . j
The work of deepening the bed of the Samara Chandan from mile 13/2 to tail of * ^
Canal debited to Extensions and Improvements was in progress, the year’s outlav 0
Rs. 5 , 148 . h
A capital expenditure of Rs. 483 was incurred during the year on constructing a Tele & P
Office at 8 th mile, Hiral, which is in progress.
An area of 384 acres was given out during the year.
( 2 )
(3)
( 4 )
Rs.
5)349
I
2,340
6,850
1,100
270