Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently inaugurated the Sardar Sarovar Dam, a significant project located in Gujarat on the Narmada River. This dam holds the distinction of being the largest one in the Narmada Valley Project. Back in 1961, the foundation stone for the Sardar Sarovar Dam was laid by the former Prime Minister, Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru.
About Sardar Sarovar Dam
Location and Size:
- The Sardar Sarovar Project is a massive concrete gravity dam situated on the Narmada River near Kevadiya in Gujarat.
- It stands as the second-largest concrete dam globally, measured by the volume of concrete used during its construction.
- Only the Grand Coulee Dam in the United States surpasses it in this aspect.
Project Components:
- The project is a comprehensive initiative that includes several large irrigation and hydroelectric multi-purpose dams.
- It aims to provide irrigation benefits to the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
- Additionally, the generated hydroelectric power is intended to be shared among Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
Electricity Distribution:
- Maharashtra is slated to receive approximately 57 percent of the electricity produced by the Sardar Sarovar Project.Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat will get around 27 percent and 16 percent, respectively.
World Bank Funding:
- Initially funded by the World Bank through its International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the project saw World Bank withdrawal in 1994.
Narmada Valley Project:
- Part of the larger Narmada Valley Project, the Sardar Sarovar Project is a significant hydraulic engineering endeavor, involving the construction of multiple large dams on the Narmada River.
Powerhouses and Capacity:
- The Sardar Sarovar Project comprises two powerhouses: the River Bed Power House (RBPH) with an installed capacity of 1,200 MegaWatt and the Canal Head Power House with 250 MegaWatt.
Height Increase Decision:
- On June 17, 2017, the Narmada Control Authority made the decision to raise the height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam to its fullest at 163 meters by ordering the closure of 30 gates.
Dam Characteristics:
- The dam is recognized as the third-highest concrete dam in India, standing at a height of 138.68 meters.
Inauguration:
- The Sardar Sarovar Project was officially inaugurated in September 2017 by Prime Minister Modi.
Key Facts
| Name of the Project | Sardar Sarovar Project |
|---|---|
| Type of Dam | Gravity dam |
| Inaugurated on | September 17, 2017 |
| Inaugurated by | Prime Minister Narendra Modi |
| Height of the Dam (normal elevation) | 138.68 metres |
| Depth of Sardar Sarovar Dam | 163 metres approximately |
| Length of the Dam | 1210 metres (3970 ft) |
| Construction Cost of SSP | 25 Billion INR |
| Construction started | 1987 |
| Vision of SSD was | Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel |
| Foundation by | Jawahar Lal Nehru |
Benefits
- The unused water from the Narmada River, which would have flowed into the sea, now serves many dry towns, villages, and districts in Gujarat.
- The Sardar Sarovar project provided jobs for about one million people, from its initiation to completion.
- The project brought electricity to underserved areas, benefitting not only the residents but also farmers.
- It facilitated irrigation, reaching approximately 800,000 hectares in Gujarat and 246,000 hectares in Rajasthan.
- The Sardar Sarovar Dam supplies drinking water to 131 towns, 9,633 villages, particularly in the drought-prone regions of Kutch and Saurashtra.
- The project protects around 30,000 hectares from floods, offering a shield against the fury of nature.
- Even wildlife sanctuaries gain from the project, showcasing its positive impact on the environment.
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