The **Indira Gandhi Canal**, stretching 837 kilometers, is the longest canal in India. It has been transporting water from the Himalayas to the arid Thar Desert in western Rajasthan since 1958. Initially launched under a different name, the project was later renamed the Indira Gandhi Nahar Pariyojana in 1984. Its goal was to convert sandy and dry land into a productive agricultural region. The canal has largely achieved this, allowing wheat and cotton to be grown in areas that previously had no vegetation. It has also helped reduce wind erosion and provided drinking water to several districts. However, the introduction of water has led to unintended consequences. The rising water levels have raised the groundwater table and saturated soils that were not designed to handle such an influx. According to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, 34.25 percent of the studied area is suffering from waterlogging and salinity, affecting around 165 square kilometers—equivalent to 1.5 times the area of Paris intra-muros. This data comes from a study published in the Annals of Arid Zone, which focused on the tehsil of Rawatsar in the Hanumangarh district. The study used field measurements and satellite images from IRS-1B to analyze the situation. The region's geography makes the problem worse. Places like Tibbi and Rawatsar lack natural outlets for excess water, causing it to pool in low-lying areas and recharge groundwater in neighboring regions. Multiple studies have pointed out the lack of proper drainage infrastructure to manage the water flow effectively. The affected area is growing each year, and the situation in Rawatsar is not unique. Other studies on the irrigated areas have reported similar issues: rising groundwater levels, seepage, and salty soils. Researchers suggest restoring the balance between water entering and water leaving the area. They recommend implementing integrated drainage systems, planting bio-drainage species like eucalyptus and poplar to lower groundwater levels, and using plants such as Salvadora or Tamarix to rehabilitate salty soils. Shutting down the canal is not an option, as agricultural activities and villages now rely on it. While a dedicated corrective program is reportedly in place, its numerical results could not be confirmed from a Rajasthan government source. The problem is well documented: a canal can be the longest in the country and still be incomplete if the water has no way to exit the system.