The Indira Sagar Dam is an engineering marvel located in the heart of Madhya Pradesh. Its construction began in 1992 and was completed in 2006, making it the largest dam in the state.
The purpose of this structure was to provide irrigation to over 5 million hectares of land across 70 villages. It can generate 1,000 megawatts of hydroelectric power and has a total capacity of 7.22 million acre-feet water.
The dam also helps prevent floods by containing the waters of the Narmada River.
The Indira Sagar Dam is located in the Khandwa district of the state and stands 92 meters tall, making it the tallest dam in India. It is composed of sandstone and limestone blocks, with the length of its wall spanning 3 km.
The reservoir created from its waters is spread over 168 square kilometres. It has a catchment area of 16,427 square kilometres, of which 69% is used for irrigation and the rest for hydropower generation.
The Indira Sagar Dam has both social and economic impacts. Over 500 thousand hectares of land have been utilized for farming, providing employment opportunities and greater sustainability for local communities.
It also provides power supply to the entire state, thus promoting industrial growth.
Additionally, it has enabled the development of roads and other related infrastructure, helping to increase public access to services.
Overall, the Indira Sagar Dam is a major asset to Madhya Pradesh, assisting the region to become more self-reliant by providing freshwater for irrigation, energy supply and flood control.
It is an example of how technology and innovation can improve lives and create greater economic benefits for the state's people.