[Fig. 26] shows part of the Punjab. The areas marked L.J., L.C., U.B.D., and S.C. are already irrigated by the Lower Jhelum, Lower Chenab, Upper Bari Doab[42] and Sirhind Canals. The areas which it is considered very desirable to irrigate, and which are provided for in the Triple Canal Project, are marked U.J., U.C., and L.B.D., and the new canals are shown by dotted lines. Other areas needing irrigation lie on the left bank of the lower part of the Sutlej, partly in British territory and partly in Bahawalpur State, and one area,[43] of scant rainfall and subject to occasional famine, lies immediately South of the Sirhind Canal tract. There is also a very large area between the Indus and the Jhelum, and it has been proposed to irrigate it from the Indus, but on account of the presence of sand-hills the project is not likely to be so useful as others, and it is held in abeyance. Perhaps a small canal may be constructed, as a tentative measure, to irrigate part of the tract.
[42] Doab means “two waters,” or the tract between two rivers. The names of the three Doabs under consideration are formed from those of the rivers. They are called the Jech (Jhelum-Chenab), Rechna (Ravi-Chenab), and Bari (Beas-Ravi) Doabs.
[43] It would be very expensive to bring water for this tract from the Beas and across the Sutlej.
The winter discharges of the rivers (available for the rabi crop) after the existing irrigation has been supplied, are as follows:
| Indus, | 9,434 | c. feet per | second | (minimum) |
| Jhelum, | 6,800 | „ | „ | (average) |
| Chenab, | Nil | |||
| Ravi, | Nil | |||
| Beas, | 4,000 | „ | „ | (minimum) |
| Sutlej, | Nil | |||
In summer all the rivers have discharges (available for the kharif crop) far exceeding any requirements. It was at one time proposed to supply the Lower Bari Doab Canal from near the junction of the Beas and Sutlej, and a project for this was prepared, but before it was sanctioned a proposal was put forward to convey the surplus water of the Jhelum eastward across the Chenab and Ravi. This valuable suggestion was made by Sir James Wilson, who was then Settlement Commissioner of the Punjab, and, independently, by the late Colonel S. L. Jacob, R.E., who had been a Chief Engineer in the Punjab. The proposals were, however, to take off the supply from the Jhelum lower down than as now arranged in the Triple Project. This would have resulted in only a partial utilisation of the Jhelum water, in mutilation or heavy alterations to the existing Lower Jhelum and Lower Chenab Canals, in for ever debarring the Upper Jhelum and Upper Chenab tracts from irrigation, and in a very costly scheme for the Lower Bari Doab Canal.[44]
[44] Colonel Jacob made his suggestion when in England after retiring from India, and when he had no levels to guide him.
The Triple Project as prepared by Sir John Benton, K.C.I.E., recently Inspector General of Irrigation in India, gets over all the above objections. The Upper Jhelum Canal is to irrigate the country which it traverses, and in the winter, when the supply in the rivers is restricted, it is to deliver into the river Chenab, above the weir at the head of the Lower Chenab Canal, a discharge equal to that drawn out higher up by the Upper Chenab Canal.[45] Thus the Lower Chenab Canal, which at present draws off the whole of the water of the Chenab in winter, will not be injuriously affected in any way. The Upper Chenab Canal after irrigating its own tract is to deliver a large volume of water into the Ravi. The water will be taken across that river by a level crossing, and supply the Lower Bari Doab Canal. The water brought into the Sutlej from the Beas will remain available for irrigation on the left bank of the Sutlej, or possibly for the dry tract South of the Sirhind Canal area. This fine scheme presented many difficulties and is necessarily costly. The water has to be conveyed a great distance, and there will be much loss by absorption. The Ravi crossing will be a very heavy work. The Upper Jhelum Canal has to be taken by a circuitous course round a range of hills, and to cross numerous heavy torrents. The scheme will, however, prove remunerative in spite of immense difficulties as to labour, caused by the outbreak of plague in the Punjab a few years ago.
[45] The Indus is at a higher level than the Jhelum. The latter river runs in a comparatively deep valley, and it is unfortunately impossible to convey the water of the Indus across this valley.