Between 1947 and 1957, research, geodetic surveys, studies, and conceptual designs were carried out.
From 1957 to 1977, main designs were developed and the basic canal network was constructed. The works were carried out under variable conditions, and the difficulties encountered caused delays and slowed down construction.
In parallel with the construction of the Basic Canal Network—and later during its operation—systems for drainage, facilities for supplying water to fishponds and industry, wastewater reception, and other structures were built. Together with the canal network, these make up the multipurpose Danube–Tisa–Danube (DTD) Hydrosystem.
The constructed basic canal network consists of main and trunk canals, hydrotechnical structures, and other supporting facilities.
The main canal network includes newly constructed canals as well as watercourses that were radically reconstructed.
On the trunk canal network, sluice gates were built. In addition to the sluices, navigation locks were also constructed to support navigation. There are several of these locks, featuring different systems and technical configurations, depending on their location within the canal network and the period of construction. Most of them were built to meet modern navigation requirements for vessels up to 1,000 tons.
In addition to the mentioned sluices, a dam was constructed on the Tisa River near Novi Bečej, with seven spillway fields and a navigation lock. The spillways have movable gates for flow regulation. The dam slows the water flow and creates a water step in the riverbed, enabling gravity-based water supply for the basic canal network in Banat, through the sluice gates at Novi Bečej and Padej.
Along the canal network, pumping stations and accompanying facilities were constructed, including sluice-lock operator buildings, canal keeper houses, utility buildings, transformer stations, power lines, access roads, protective forest belts, movable and fixed bridges, and other structures.
Some technical issues observed during operation—partly due to a lack of financial resources—were postponed for resolution during the operational phase.
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