Why in the News?
The National Dam Safety Authority issued a show cause notice to the Narmada Valley Development Authority over serious safety lapses at Bargi Dam.
About Bargi Dam
- A major multipurpose dam
- Used for irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydroelectric power generation
- Jabalpur district, Madhya Pradesh
- Constructed on the Narmada River
Historical Background
- Built under the Narmada Valley Development Project
- First completed major dam among the planned series on the Narmada in Madhya Pradesh
- Became the foundation project for the state’s Narmada basin development strategy
Key Features
- 21 spillway gates: Regulate flood discharge and reservoir levels during heavy rainfall
- Bargi Diversion Project: Canal network supplying irrigation to drought prone regions
- Rani Avantibai Lodhi Sagar Project: Large scale storage and distribution system for irrigation and water supply
- Large reservoir supporting: Drinking water, Hydropower, Fisheries and Tourism and recreation
Significance
- Provides drinking water to Jabalpur and nearby districts
- Supports agriculture through assured irrigation
- Contributes to electricity generation
- Boosts regional development and eco tourism
Institutional Context
National Dam Safety Authority
- Apex body under the Dam Safety Act 2021
- Responsible for surveillance, inspection, and safety compliance of specified dams
Narmada Valley Development Authority
- Implements and manages projects under the Narmada basin
- Responsible for operation and maintenance of dams like Bargi
Prelims Pointers
- Bargi Dam is on the Narmada River
- Located in Madhya Pradesh
- Part of the Narmada Valley Development Project
- NDSA acts under the Dam Safety Act 2021
- Spillway gates are crucial for flood control
| [2016] The Narmada river flows to the west, while most other large peninsular rivers flow to the east. Why?
1. It occupies a linear rift valley 2. It flows between the Vindhyas and the Satpuras 3. The land slopes to the west from Central India Select the correct answer using the codes given below (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 3 (d) None |
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