GUJARAT Kadana Project: Exercise in Area Development Pushpa Sundar WHAT makes the Kadana Project on the Mahi river in Gujarat noteworthy is that it represents a macro approach to the development of an area, viewing provision of irrigation, supply of fertilisers, road building, setting up of agro industries, etc, as part of an integrated and concurrent development plan. To quote a government report on Kadana: "By the time Kadana water becomes available to the Mahi Canal system, all the arrangements should be made so as to transmit water down to the farthest field and agriculturist prepared to receive water and make its optimum use by resorting to more remunerative cropping patterns subject to the limitations of land and water. It has also to-be ensured that the agriculturists get credit facilities for applying the optimum dosage of the right type of manures and that they put in necessary efforts for improvements and preparation of lands and that they resort to mechanised agriculture to the extent possible. Also feeder roads would Deed to be provided and marketing facilities improved." SECOND PHASE The construction of a dam and storage reservoir at Kadana in the Luna- wada taluka of Panchmahals district, with a direct channel on the left bank, is the second phase of the project. The first stage, which is over, began in 1954 and was completed in 1959 but progress on the distribution system was slow due to lack of funds, delay in construction of water courses and channels and lack of assured water uspply.
