Supplied by the iconic Gandak Project (गंडक परियोजना) originating from Valmikinagar, Saran District's extensive canal irrigation network spans hundreds of kilometers, nourishing fertile agricultural fields across all 20 blocks with reliable gravity flow water.
Primary Water Source
Canal Network Length
Irrigation Command
Eco-Friendly Irrigation
The Gandak Irrigation Project is one of the largest river valley projects in Northern India, originating from the Gandak Barrage at Valmikinagar (Bhainsalotan) on the India-Nepal border.
The barrage diverts waters into two massive canal networks: the Tirhut Main Canal on the eastern bank and the Saran Main Canal (सारण मुख्य नहर) on the western bank. The Saran Canal network carries Himalayan glacier meltwaters through Gopalganj and Siwan, culminating in the expansive plains of Saran district.
सारण मुख्य नहर
The main arterial canal that enters the northern borders of Saran district from Siwan. It carries the bulk flow of the Gandak river and splits into major branch canals supplying water to central, southern, and eastern blocks.
मढ़ौरा शाखा नहर
Taking off from the main canal near Mashrakh, the Marhowrah Branch Canal traverses through Isuapur, Marhowrah, Amnour, and Dariapur, serving as the agricultural backbone for sugarcane, wheat, and paddy cultivation in industrial and rural Marhowrah.
छपरा शाखा नहर
Branching towards the south, the Chapra Branch Canal irrigates the agricultural belts of Jalalpur, Baniyapur, Nagra, and Chapra Sadar. It feeds numerous small distributaries that keep groundwater tables replenished near the district headquarters.
From the main and branch canals, an intricate sub-network of distributaries (रजवाहा), sub-distributaries, and minors delivers water directly to village field channels (कूहल):
Supplies water to the vast paddy cultivation belts of Garkha and border villages of Nagra & Marhowrah. It connects with local drainage channels to maintain soil moisture during hot summer dry spells.
Feeds the agricultural lowlands of Taraiya, Panapur, Isuapur, and Amnour. Operates in coordination with the Ghoghari and Sondhi river drainage basins to prevent waterlogging and maximize irrigation.
Directs irrigation flows across Parsa, Maker, Dariapur, and downstream tracts towards Dighwara & Sonpur, filling village water tanks (Pokharas) and supporting intense vegetable farming.
Originating from the Siwan-Saran border channels, these minors water Ekma, Lahladpur, Manjhi, and Revelganj highlands, safeguarding high-yielding wheat, maize, and pulse crops.
Canal water release in Saran is regulated seasonally by the Water Resources Department to align with crop sowing and flowering calendars:
हर खेत को पानी (Bihar Govt Initiative)
Contact details of the Water Resources Department (WRD), Govt. of Bihar irrigation circle and division offices overseeing the canal network in Saran District:
The canal alignment, Gandak project data, irrigation command figures, and water release schedules are referenced from official government irrigation authorities:
Explore all 20 blocks, rivers, historical sites, emergency helplines, and verified local businesses across Saran District on Saran Index.