Explanation: The Indira Gandhi Canal, also known as the Rajasthan Canal, is a significant water supply system in western Rajasthan, India. It is the longest canal in India, stretching over 650 kilometers, and is a crucial source of water for the arid regions of the Thar Desert. The canal was constructed to provide irrigation and drinking water to the desert areas of Rajasthan, which are among the driest regions in the country.
The canal diverts water from the Beas River, a tributary of the Sutlej River, which is part of the Indus River system. The water is transported through a series of canals and distributaries to reach the desert regions of Rajasthan. The primary purpose of the Indira Gandhi Canal is to support agriculture in the desert areas, where water is scarce and traditional farming is challenging. The canal has transformed vast tracts of desert land into fertile agricultural fields, enabling farmers to grow crops such as wheat, cotton, and vegetables.
The construction of the Indira Gandhi Canal was a massive engineering project that involved the building of several dams, including the Bhakra Dam and the Madhopur Headworks. The canal system includes the main canal, which runs from the Madhopur Headworks to the desert regions, and numerous branch canals and distributaries that further distribute the water to the fields.
In contrast, the Sutlej Basin, Narmada, and Tapi are rivers located in different parts of India and do not directly supply water to the desert regions of Rajasthan. The Sutlej River is part of the Indus River system and primarily serves the Punjab and Haryana regions. The Narmada River is located in central India and flows through Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. The Tapi River is also in central India and flows through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. None of these rivers are connected to the water supply systems of Rajasthan's desert areas.
Therefore, the Indira Gandhi Canal is the correct answer as it is the primary source of water for the desert regions of western Rajasthan, providing essential irrigation and drinking water to the arid areas.