India Builds a 28-Kilometre Artificial Reservoir in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert to Secure Water Supplies

A major reservoir in Rajasthan’s desert region is designed to store surplus canal water, reduce seepage and strengthen drinking-water security for millions of people.

India is using large-scale water engineering to address one of the biggest challenges facing its desert regions: securing a dependable supply of water in an environment where rainfall is limited and sandy soil can absorb water rapidly.

In Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district, authorities have developed a massive artificial reservoir at the Burji 1356 escape structure along the Indira Gandhi Canal system. The reservoir has a reported 28-kilometre circumference and is designed to store surplus water for use when supplies through the canal are interrupted.

The project is part of broader efforts to improve water security in the Thar Desert, particularly for communities in Jaisalmer and neighbouring Barmer district.

Why build a reservoir in the desert?

The Thar Desert experiences high temperatures, limited rainfall and recurring water-management challenges. Many communities depend on canal networks and other infrastructure to obtain drinking water.

The Indira Gandhi Canal is a major source of water for northwestern Rajasthan. However, its scheduled maintenance and periodic interruptions can place pressure on communities that depend on the system.

The new reservoir is intended to address this vulnerability by storing surplus canal water when it is available. The stored water can then be treated and distributed when needed.

According to published reports citing project officials, the reservoir is expected to support water supplies for around 50 lakh people in Jaisalmer and Barmer.

How the plastic lining works

One of the project's key engineering features is its use of high-density polyethylene, commonly known as HDPE.

Engineers have laid a plastic geomembrane across the reservoir bed to reduce water loss through seepage into the surrounding sandy soil. A protective soil layer covers the lining.

Without an effective barrier, some of the stored water could infiltrate the ground, reducing the amount available for later use. The lining helps retain water within the reservoir, although actual performance depends on construction quality, maintenance and operating conditions.

The technology illustrates how materials commonly used in water containment can be adapted to challenging desert environments.

How much water can it store?

Reports citing Rajasthan water-supply officials put the reservoir's storage capacity at approximately 1,406–1,413 million cubic feet, equivalent to roughly 1.4 billion litres.

The reservoir is reported to have an average depth of about 13 metres. Surplus water can be directed from the canal system through an escape channel and later pumped towards a filtration facility for treatment before distribution.

The project is also intended to make better use of excess canal water during periods when irrigation demand is lower.

A wider water-security programme

The Burji 1356 reservoir is one of several proposed escape reservoirs associated with Rajasthan's efforts to strengthen drinking-water infrastructure under the Jal Jeevan Mission.

Published reports indicate that the wider programme is intended to support major drinking-water projects serving thousands of villages. The eventual benefits will depend on the completion and operation of the associated reservoirs, pipelines, treatment plants and distribution networks.

For residents, the main objective is practical: a more reliable supply of treated drinking water during periods of canal maintenance or shortages.

Could the reservoir also benefit wildlife?

Artificial reservoirs can sometimes create new habitats for waterbirds and other wildlife, particularly when water remains available in otherwise dry landscapes.

However, the existence of a reservoir alone does not establish that particular migratory species, including flamingos, are regularly using it. Such claims require confirmation from reliable bird surveys, conservation organisations or documented observations at the site.

The project's verified primary purpose is water storage and supply. Any ecological benefits should be assessed separately as evidence becomes available.

An engineering response to desert conditions

The Burji 1356 reservoir demonstrates how large-scale storage infrastructure can help manage water in an arid region. Its design combines canal-based water collection, a lined storage basin and connections to treatment and distribution systems.

The project's long-term success will depend on how effectively water is retained, treated and delivered, as well as how the infrastructure is maintained.

For Rajasthan's desert communities, the central measure of success will not simply be the size of the artificial lake, but whether it helps provide dependable and affordable drinking water when supplies are interrupted.

By News National Editorial Team