- Ganga Canal closed until November 8 for annual maintenance.
- NCR, Ghaziabad, 15 UP districts face water supply issues.
- Haridwar's Har Ki Pauri water levels dropped significantly.
Drinking water supply in parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) is expected to be affected after the Ganga Canal was shut for annual maintenance, with the closure set to continue until November 8. Water from the canal is supplied to Ghaziabad’s Pratap Vihar treatment plant, which caters to parts of the NCR.
The closure, which began at midnight on Tuesday, is also expected to affect irrigation across 15 districts of Uttar Pradesh and areas of Haridwar in Uttarakhand. Desilting, routine maintenance and ghat redevelopment work will be carried out during the shutdown.
“Every year, the Upper Ganga Canal is temporarily closed for annual maintenance…The primary objective is to identify hidden issues or damage within the system that may go unnoticed while the canals remain operational throughout the year. Therefore, we inspect the entire system annually, identify any damage or issues, and complete the necessary work within this 20-day period. This ensures that the canal system can continue to operate smoothly for the following year,” PTI quoted Vikas Tyagi, Executive Engineer, Irrigation Department.
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Ganga Canal Closure And Water Supply In NCR
The canal supplies water to the Pratap Vihar treatment plant in Ghaziabad, from where it is treated and distributed for drinking across parts of the NCR. The shutdown could therefore affect the availability of water in areas dependent on this supply.
Built in 1854, the British-era Ganga Canal was designed to provide water for drinking and irrigation, extending its reach as far as Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh. It spans approximately 560 km and originates in Haridwar.
Despite originating in Uttarakhand, the canal continues to be managed and operated by the Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department, with asset-sharing arrangements between the two states remaining unresolved following Uttarakhand’s formation.
Water Levels Drop At Har Ki Pauri In Haridwar
The Ganga Canal closure has also affected water levels at Brahmakund, at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar, a prominent pilgrimage site where devotees gather to perform religious rituals. The drop in water levels has left devotees disappointed.
VIDEO | Haridwar: Devotees disappointed as water level drops at Har Ki Pauri Ganga canal, which has been closed for 20 days for repairs. (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) https://t.co/ZregU34tcV
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 21, 2026
The Ganga Sabha has urged authorities to maintain a minimum flow of water at the ghat during the shutdown to allow pilgrims and residents to continue their daily rituals.
Ganga Sabha president Nitin Gautam called for an uninterrupted minimum water flow at the site throughout the closure.
Senior Uttar Pradesh Irrigation Department officials said field officers in Uttarakhand had been instructed to maintain adequate water levels at Har Ki Pauri during the closure. However, photographs showing the ghat without water went viral on Wednesday, raising concerns over water availability at the pilgrimage site.