The Sardar Sarovar Dam is one super structure located in Gujarat, India. Located near the famous Statue of Unity, it attracts tourists because of its mega size (this is one of the biggest dams in the world) and controversy (regarding its environmental impact and cost). The dam is named after Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who was a prominent leader of the Indian independence movement and the first Deputy Prime Minister of India.

The Sardar Sarovar Dam was constructed as part of a larger project to harness the power of the Narmada river for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation. The project was initiated in the 1960s, but faced many challenges and delays due to environmental concerns and opposition from local communities. Construction of the dam finally began in 1987, and was completed in 2017.

The Sardar Sarovar Dam is a gravity dam, which means that its weight and the force of gravity hold it in place. The dam stands at a height of 163 meters, making it one of the tallest dams in the world. The dam has a length of 1.2 kilometers and a capacity of 9,000,000 acre-feet.

The Sardar Sarovar Dam has several benefits for the people of Gujarat and the surrounding regions. One of the primary benefits is the generation of hydroelectric power. The dam has a capacity of 1,450 MW, and the power generated is distributed to various parts of Gujarat and neighboring states.

The dam also provides water for irrigation to over 1.8 million hectares of land in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. The water from the dam is used for agriculture, which is a major source of livelihood for the people of these regions. The dam has helped to increase agricultural productivity and improve the livelihoods of farmers in the region.

The Sardar Sarovar Dam has also had some negative impacts on the environment and local communities. The construction of the dam has resulted in the displacement of thousands of people, who were forced to relocate from their homes and villages to make way for the reservoir. The dam has also had an impact on the ecology of the Narmada river, which is an important source of biodiversity in the region.

Despite these challenges, the Sardar Sarovar Dam remains an important landmark and a source of pride for the people of Gujarat. The dam has become a symbol of the state’s progress and development, and has helped to transform the lives of millions of people in the region.

Here are few things you need to know about the Sardar Sarovar Dam before you travel and visit it.

  1. The dam can be visited easily by paying for the full tour package of the Statue of Unity.
  2. The dams serves four Indian states, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra and Rajasthan.
  3. Construction started in 1987. It was opened in 2017, after many delays.
  4. The total installed capacity of the power facilities is 1,450 MW.
  5. The height of the Sardar Sarovar Dam to its fullest is 163 meters.
  6. The dam irrigates 17,920 km2 (6,920 sq mi) of land.
  7. If you visit the dam, you would also see the Valley of Flowers.

Finally, the Sardar Sarovar Dam is a major engineering feat and an important source of hydroelectric power and irrigation water for the people of Gujarat and surrounding regions. While the project has faced several challenges and controversies over the years, it remains an important symbol of India’s progress and development. The success of the Sardar Sarovar Dam project is a testament to the perseverance and ingenuity of the people involved in its construction, and serves as an inspiration for future development projects in India and around the world.

Where to find the Sardar Sarovar Dam? Follow this link for the GPS directions.