Irrigation dept bags SKOCH award for Maha Kumbh works

Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh irrigation department has received the SKOCH award in Delhi for innovative water management initiatives, marking national recognition of its role in major infrastructure projects linked to Maha Kumbh 2025.The department was honoured for two projects: the channelization of the Ganga through the merging of three streams into a single channel during Maha Kumbh and the installation of automatic gates at the Bhakhra weir. The Ganga project facilitated the creation of a large circulation area and the ‘Sangam Nose', enabling smoother movement of devotees during the religious event.The award was received on behalf of the state govt by chief rngineer, irrigation department, Upendra Singh.Principal secretary, irrigation, Anil Garg, said: "We had to channelise the Ganga's streams to facilitate ‘amrit snan' for a maximum number of devotees during Maha Kumbh. Scientifically managing the river's flow was a challenging task, which the department executed successfully, showcasing the state's efficiency and its capability to manage large-scale events in an organised manner."Chief engineer Upendra Singh said that the installation of automatic gates at the Bhakra Dam in Rampur received special appreciation. The project made water distribution efficient and controlled, contributing to improved irrigation, better water conservation, and optimal resource utilisation, he said.