Bhakra Nangal Dam – History, Specifications, Location, Uses

The Bhakra-Nangal Dam is the second tallest dam in Asia and is situated in the line of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. It is India’s most noteworthy straight gravity dam with a level of around 207.26 meters and stumbles into 168.35 km. It was the main dam in Asia to have the ability to deliver 1500 MW of force back in 2013. Bhakra Dam is a concrete gravity dam situated in India and situated across the Sutlej River and is referred to as the second-tallest dam in Asia.

Bhakra and Nangal are two different dams. Bhakra is located in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, and Nangal Dam is 13 km downstream of Bhakra Dam, in present-day Nangal in Punjab.

Bhakra Nangal Dam

Specifications of Dam

• Bhakra Nangal Dam has a length of 518.25(1,700 ft.) meters and a width of 9.1 meters (30ft) roughly.
• On October 22, 2013, the public authority of India supported the arrival of a stamp to check the 50th commemoration of the dam as it was the main dam that could deliver 1500 MW of power during that time.

The Reservoir of Bhakra Nangal Dam

The reservoir of the dam is known as “Gobind Sagar” and has the capacity to store about 9.4 billion cubic meters of water. This reservoir is the third largest dam in the country with regard to water storage. The largest dam is the Indira Sagar dam in Madhya Pradesh and the second is Nagarjunasagar Dam.

History of Bhakra Nangal Dam

The Bhakra-Nangal dam is one of the earliest waterway valley advancement plans attempted after the autonomy of India. The venture was endorsed by then Punjab Revenue Minister Sir Chhotu Ram in November 1944 with the lord of Bilaspur and was settled on January 8, 1945

The multipurpose dam’s development was first begun in 1984 by the then Lieutenant Governor of Punjab, Sir Louis Dane. Be that as it may, it got postponed and continued after autonomy under the central Architect Rai Bahadur Kunwar Sen Gupta. The dam was finished in 1963, and it was devoted to the country by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.

Importance of Bhakra Nangal Dam

• It is essentially used for irrigation and storing rainwater. States like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh receive irrigational water from it.
• It is also used to provide electricity and has 10 hydroelectricity on each side.
• It is also one of the major touristy sites. Water sports at Gobind Lake, a visit to Naina Devi temple, and a nearby wildlife sanctuary are a few examples.
• Commercial fishing is also practised in the Gobind Sagar reservoir which is home to many fishes.

Conclusion

Bhakra Nangal Dam is one of the important dams situated in India and not only prevents flooding but also helps in the generation of electricity for many states of India and also helps farmers in irrigation purposes over the years have also boosted tourism.

FAQs on Bhakra Nangal Dam

Q 1. Is Bhakra Dam the biggest dam?

Answer-

Bhakra Dam is the second highest dam in India after Tehri Dam.

Q 2. What is Bhakra Nangal Dam famous for?

Answer-

Bhakra Nangal Dam is famous for tourism and for the generation of electricity.

Q 3. On which lake Bhakra Nangal Dam is situated?

Answer-

Bhakra Nangal Dam is situated in the Sutlej river.