Performance evaluation of an irrigation project with reference to its irrigation objectives

Abstract

During the late 1950s in India several river valley projects were started for irrigation and power generation. One 
such project is the Malampuzha project, the largest irrigation project in Kerala state. The project started 
functioning in 1956. It was expected to cater the irrigation need of 22554 Ha of rice paddy in Palakkad district. The 
present study is an attempt to evaluate the project by focussing on its original irrigation objectives. Data from the 
detailed project report (DPR) and those generated from field surveys using a custom made questionnaire was used 
for the study. The cost – benefit analysis conducted on Malampuzha irrigation project, with reference to its 
declared irrigation objectives, shows that the performance of the project is not satisfactory.