Question

The largest number of major irrigation projects completed before the commencement of 5 years plan

• A. Uttar Pradesh > Andhra Pradesh > Tamil Nadu > Madhya Pradesh
• B. Tamil Nadu > Uttar Pradesh > Andhra Pradesh > Madhya Pradesh
• C. Andhra Pradesh > Madhya Pradesh > Uttar Pradesh > Tamil Nadu
• D. Madhya Pradesh > Andhra Pradesh > Uttar Pradesh > Tamil Nadu

Hint:

Historically, the southern deltaic regions (Tamil Nadu/Madras Presidency) pioneered canal irrigation systems in India, followed closely by the Indo-Gangetic plains of Uttar Pradesh.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Prior to the launch of India's first Five-Year Plan in 1951, several major irrigation works (such as run-of-the-river diversion weirs and canal systems) were constructed during the pre-independence era.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the historical development of major irrigation projects across states:
- Tamil Nadu (erstwhile Madras Presidency) led the country in pre-1951 irrigation systems.
The region developed the Cauvery Delta system, the Grand Anicut, and the Lower Bhavani systems, establishing a high density of early canal systems.
- Uttar Pradesh followed with extensive diversion works across major perennial rivers, including the Upper Ganga Canal (1854), the Lower Ganga Canal, and the Eastern and Western Yamuna Canal systems.
- Andhra Pradesh was also a key region for early projects, particularly Sir Arthur Cotton's Krishna and Godavari deltaic system works.
- Madhya Pradesh, with its undulating terrain and seasonal rivers, had fewer major diversion projects completed in the pre-plan period.
Therefore, the correct decreasing order of major irrigation projects completed before 1951 is Tamil Nadu > Uttar Pradesh > Andhra Pradesh > Madhya Pradesh.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct order is Tamil Nadu > Uttar Pradesh > Andhra Pradesh > Madhya Pradesh.