Which dam is built up the Narmada river?
VerifiedAnswer: Sardar Sarovar
Explanation:
The Sardar Sarovar Dam is one of India's most significant infrastructure projects, built on the mighty Narmada River in Gujarat. This massive concrete dam stands as a testament to modern engineering and plays a crucial role in addressing water scarcity and power generation needs across multiple states.
Located near the town of Kevadia in Gujarat's Narmada district, the Sardar Sarovar Dam is the largest dam in the Narmada Valley Project. The dam reaches an impressive height of 163 meters and stretches 1.2 kilometers in length, making it one of the tallest concrete dams in India. Its construction began in 1987 and was completed in 2017, though it faced various challenges and delays during its development phase.
The dam serves multiple purposes that benefit millions of people across Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. Its primary functions include irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and flood control. The irrigation network extends to over 1.8 million hectares of agricultural land, helping farmers in drought-prone areas of Gujarat and Rajasthan. The dam also generates approximately 1,450 megawatts of clean hydroelectric power, contributing significantly to the region's energy needs.
One of the most remarkable features of the Sardar Sarovar Dam is its drinking water supply system. The project provides clean drinking water to over 9,000 villages and 165 towns across Gujarat, ensuring water security for millions of people. This has been particularly beneficial for regions that previously struggled with water scarcity and had limited access to safe drinking water.
The Narmada River, often called the "lifeline of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh," flows westward for about 1,312 kilometers before meeting the Arabian Sea. The Sardar Sarovar Dam harnesses the river's potential effectively, creating a large reservoir that stores approximately 5.8 billion cubic meters of water. This storage capacity helps manage water distribution throughout the year, even during dry seasons.
Today, the area around Sardar Sarovar Dam has become a popular tourist destination, featuring attractions like the Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The dam stands as a symbol of India's engineering capabilities and continues to play a vital role in the socio-economic development of western and central India.
