Convert the abandoned old section of the Upper
Ganga ( Ganges ) Canal ( from Har-Ki - Pauri, Haridwar to Roorkee ) in
to a sort of national heritage museum- .
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An Engineering Marvel
This
section ,originally constructed around 1850 by the East India Company ,
was at that time the biggest canal system ever undertaken. It was and
still is an engineering marvel It has aqueducts , super passages ,
massive sluice gates , spillways etc.
There are massive "lion statues " guarding the canal , near Roorkee
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Solani Aqueduct- India's First Railway Engine
.The
Solani aqueduct near Roorkee, apart from being an engineering marvel
has the distinction of having first ever Steam Engine ( before the
Bombay line ) actively operating in India to ferry massive amounts of
earth required for raising the level of the canal 's course
Replica of this Engine at Railway Station , Roorkee
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Current sad state of the Canal- Open to Vandalism
.But.
presently , this old section of the beautiful canal is in dis use and a
new canal course has been constructed parallel to the old canal. The
old canal is in a very pitiable condition. It is neglected and open to vandalism.
It
should , immediately , be declared a 'National Heritage " and
suitably preserved. It can , also , be developed in to an attractive
tourist designation.
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Endangered Riverine Creatures
Further
, aqua riverine life like the great Indian Gharial and Ganga Dolphines , which once was
abundant in the Ganga and which is now threatened can be introduced in
some sections of this great canal.
( " GANGES " is the English adaption of the word GANGA JI " )
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Message From my Great Friend Anil Sahai
Hi Ashwani,
Let me share some deep personal association with Upper Ganges
Canal, Roorkee and the lion statues at the banks of the great canal.
1. My father was an alum of Roorkee University (now IIT-Roorkee),
and studied civil engineering. In 1950s, the diploma (yes, not degree)
used to be a 3 years course.
2. There are three very interesting facts/crossings of canal
between Roorkee and Haridwar: 1) Canal over river (Roorkee) - a canal
bridge, 2) River over Canal (near Bahadarabad) and 3) where Canal and a
small river meet on the same level like a +, and the flow is managed by
dam gates on the river as well as the canal.
3. Just so happens, my father had a great story (?) to share.
When the canal was first built, the canal bridge next to Roorkee towards
Haridwar fell with the weight of the flowing water. It was rebuilt, and
before they let the water in the canal, the chief engineer (a British)
went and stood on the bridge, and then ordered to open the water flow
while still standing on the bridge! My salute to his confidence!
4. I had an opportunity to live in Roorkee for a year in early
1970s when my father was posted there. We lived in the Hydel Colony - on
the banks of the canal. In summer months, I used to swim across back
and forth everyday in chilly water. The flow was so fast that we used
to get drifted at least 100 yards by the time we reached the other side.
We also used to jump from the bridge into the canal where the lion
statues were.
5.
Those lion statues had a special association/origin with/from the
Roorkee University. The annual athletic champion was awarded a silver
Lion Trophy - looking exactly like the lion statues you find next to the
main bridge today.
6. My father won the Lion Trophy every year in his 3 years - a record
(1949/50/51)first in history of the university ... clean sweep of every
race event! The record was held until late 1970s! These trophies
(picture posted below) are treasured at my sister's home in Minneapolis!
Thanks for your post about this engineering icon mostly forgotten
- not to mention how much it has helped the farmers in UP along its
path originating in Haridwar from Ganges and finally ending in Ganges
again near Kanpur in UP
.
Anil
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