Bharuch: The gates of Sardar Sarovar Narmada dam were opened for the first time today after installation in year 2017 to maintain the level of 131.18 meter allowed by Narmada Control Authority. There are total 30 gates, of which 25 were opened today.

Gora bridge in downstream was closed for traffic due to release of water from Narmada. Low lying villages on the bank of river Narmada are alerted in three districts – Narmada, Vadodara and Bharuch.

With heavy inflows in Sardar Sarovar dam, 1200 MW River Bed power house was started after a gap of twow years.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani, his Deputy Nitin Patel and Chief Secretary Dr. JN Singh among others visited the dam site in the morning.

Rupani while speaking to media persons at dam site hoped that the top possible level of water 138 meter in Narmada dam will be achieved in next couple of month period and dream fo Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and goal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will fulfilled.

Rupani said the state had opportunity to divert Narmada dam water to rivers, ponds and Khari canal for its use for irrigation and drinking purpose.

‘Last twenty year’s hard work, our capability is proven now. We divert water from here and make it available at distance upto 300-400 kms’

‘Due to heavy rain in last few days, our major problem related to scarcity is over. There’s forecast of continuing good rain, which makes us hopeful for a very good year, may God fulfill our wish,’ Rupani said.

Detailed report

Vadodara: The sluice gates installed on the Sardar Sarovar Narmada dam were opened for the first time this morning to release water even as the level in its reservoir touched a record all time high of 131.45 meters due to heavy inflow caused by heavy to very heavy rain in the catchment areas of river Narmada.

Due to the discharge of water in river from the reservoir, all the six units of the river bed hydel power production system have been started after two years. It houses six 200 MW Francis pump-turbines to generate electricity and include a pumped-storage capability. Additionally, a power plant on the intake for the main canal ie canal bed contains five 50 MW Kaplan turbine-generators. The total installed capacity of the power facilities is 1,450 MW.

One of the canal bed turbine has also been started.

Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and DyCM Nitin Patel also reached the site of the dam in Kevadiya in Narmada district of central Gujarat and offered prayers to the Narmada water.

According to official information the water level in the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam reservoir, the lifeline of water supply in Gujarat had reached an all time high of 131.45 m at 6am this morning after which 26 of the 30 gates installed and closed in 2017 were opened for the first time to release water.

Due to the installation of gates the highest level of the reservoir had increased from 121.92 meters to 138.68 m after closure of 30 sluice gates in 2017. Earlier the highest water level was 130.75m reached on September 25, 2017. This level was surpassed last night itself.

The water level had started rising due to heavy rain since 6pm of July 30 when it was 121.73 m. Since then the water level till 6 am this morning had seen a rise of almost 10 meters (9.72 m to be precise). The corresponding live storage at 3554.87 Million Cubic Feet (61.72%) was also the highest.

However after opening of the gates the water level was again declining and it had come down to 130.99 m at 10 am and further lowered to 130.85m at 11 am.

At 11 am the live storage was 3417.27MCM. The outflow was 647513 cusec while the inflow was 331743 cusec.

Due to release of over 6 lakh cusec of water in the downstream of the river the areas adjoining the river bank in Bharuch district have been alerted. Water was also being discharged through canal for irrigation channels.

An official at the Narmada flood control unit in Vadodara today said ‘The inflow increased mainly due to rain in the catchment areas in MP and intermediate free catchment of river Narmada in Gujarat. The live has also increased to by over 32% in 10 days. The total live storage capacity of the reservoir is 5760MCM while the gross including the dead storage of 3700 MCM is 9460 MCM.

It supplies water for drinking and other domestic needs to around 167 towns and more than 10000 villages of the state in which more than half of the population resides.

Official note

Gandhinagar, Friday: Chief Minister Mr. Vijay Rupani and Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Nitin Patel visited the SardarSarovar Narmada Dam at Kevadia to inspect the situation after the gates of the dam were opened for the first time after installation.

The Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister performed a small ritual as a token of respect and gratitude towards the river. The CM was extremely happy to witness that the water has been filled till 131.5 metres in the dam. “It is a moment to laud the engineering capability of the state,” he added. Mr. Rupani was thankful to Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi for giving the permission to close the gates of the dam and allowing it to be filled up to its brim.

The water is likely to reach till 138 metres considering the heavy rainfall that is likely to occur in the coming days.

Water from this dam will also be made available to the SujalamSufalam canals, dams under SAUNI Yojana, canals in Saurashtra- Kutch-Central and North Gujarat. This will be a boon to the farmers. Gujarat has been receiving a good amount of rainfall this season which has saved the state from the possibility of a drought. A good amount of water is released to the subsidiary canals of the Narmada Dam which will benefit a large number of people.

The CM has instructed the district administration to take necessary measures for ensuring safety of people living in the vicinity.

Chief Principal Secretary to CM Mr.K. Kailashnathan, Chief Secretary Dr.J.N Singh and M.D of SardarSarovar Nigam Dr. Rajiv Gupta accompanied the CM and Deputy CM.

DeshGujarat