Bargi Dam
Context: The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has issued a show-cause notice to the Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA) over serious safety lapses at Bargi Dam.
About Bargi Dam:
What it is?
- Bargi Dam is a major multipurpose dam built for irrigation, drinking water supply and hydroelectric power generation.
Located in: It is located in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh.
River associated: The dam is constructed on the Narmada River.
History:
- Bargi Dam was constructed as part of the Narmada Valley Development Project, which aimed to harness the Narmada River for irrigation, hydropower and water supply.
- Being the first completed dam in the series of 30 major dams on the Narmada in Madhya Pradesh, it became the foundation of the state’s Narmada basin development strategy, setting the model for later projects.
Key Features:
- 21 spillway gates – These gates regulate the release of floodwaters and reservoir levels, protecting downstream areas during heavy rainfall.
- Bargi Diversion Project – Diverts water through canals to provide irrigation to drought-prone agricultural areas, boosting crop productivity.
- Rani Avantibai Lodhi Sagar Project – A major storage and distribution system that supports large-scale irrigation and water supply.
- The dam creates a vast reservoir that supplies drinking water, hydroelectric power, fisheries, tourism and recreation, making it economically and socially vital for the region.
Significance:
- Provides drinking water and irrigation to Jabalpur and surrounding districts.
- Supports agriculture, electricity generation and regional development.
- Acts as a tourism hub with boating, fishing and eco-tourism activities.