Bhakra Dam

Infobox_Dam
dam_name= Bhakra Dam


caption= The Bhakra Dam
official_name= Bhakra Dam
crosses= Sutlej River
reservoir= Gobindsagar Reservoir
locale=Punjab-Himachal Pradesh India
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length= convert|1700|ft|m|abbr=on
height= 741 ft (226 m)
width= convert|625|ft|m|abbr=on
began= 1948
open= 1963
closed=
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coordinates= coord |31|24|39|N|76|26|00|E|display=inline,title
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Bhakra Dam is a concrete gravity dam across the Sutlej River, near the border between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh in northern India. The dam was part of the larger multipurpose Bhakra Nangal Project whose aims were to prevent floods in the Sutlej-Beas river valley, to provide irrigation to adjoining states and to provide hydro-electricity.

Construction began in 1948 and was completed in 1963. The dam, at 741 ft (226 m), is one of the highest gravity dams in the world (compared to USA's largest Hoover Dam at 732 ft). The 166 km² Gobindsagar Reservoir, named after Guru Gobind Singh, is created by this dam. The dam provides irrigation to 10 million acres (40,000 km²) of fields in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan. Two power houses with a total capacity of 1000 MW flank the dam, on either side of the river. A smaller subsidiary dam, called the Nangal Dam is located a little downriver from the Bhakra Dam.

tatistics

It is the largest dam in India
*Type of Dam: Concrete Straight Gravity
*Height: 740 ft (225.55 m)
*Height (above river bed): convert|550|ft|m|abbr=on
*Length at top: convert|1700|ft|m|abbr=on
*Width at top: convert|30|ft|m|abbr=on
*Length at bottom: convert|325|ft|m|abbr=on
*Width at base: convert|625|ft|m|abbr=on
*Elevation at top of dam: 1700 ft (above sea level)
*Steel used: 100000 tons

ee also

*List of reservoirs and dams in IndiaBhakra Nangal Dam

Described as 'New Temple of Resurgent India’ by Late Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first prime minister of India, Bhakra Nangal Dam is situated across the river Sutlej and is situated in the region of Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh. Bhakra Nangal Dam is one of the largest dams in India and highest gravity dam in the world. Nestling between the border of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, amidst the lush green forests, the dam gives a fantastic view of the region and attracts huge number of tourists from all over the India.

Bhakra Nangal Dam - Pride of IndiaBhakra Nangal Dam is a combination of Bhakra dam and Nangal dam. Bhakra dam is 13 km upstream from Nangal city and Nangal just vice versa. The construction of the dam was started in the year 1948 and was completed by the end of year 1963. Initially, the construction of the dam was started by Sir Louis Dane, the Lieutenant Governor of Punjab. But the project got delayed and was restarted by the Late Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru on 17th November, 1955. The dam, which is situated at a height of 226 m above sea-level stuns the visitor with its height. The 90 km long reservoir created by the Bhakra Nangal Dam is spread over an area of 168 sq km. The dam was constructed with an aim to provide irrigation to the Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Another big reason behind the construction of the dam was to prevent damage due to monsoon floods. Besides, the Bhakra Nangal dam houses hydroelectric power generators, which are situated on both the sides of the dam. Nangal hydel Channel and Anandpur Sahib Channel are used for power generation and irrigation purposes.

Bhakra Nangal Dam - As an AttractionBeing the biggest dam in India, a large number of tourists visit its vast water reservoir and attractive location. To facilitate tourism in this part of Himachal Pradesh, the travel & tourism department of the state has provided rest houses located near the Bhakra Nangal dam. Apart from the human generated dam, there is a natural fall, which is also a source of hydro-electricity generated by the Ganguwal and Kotla power plant. The area surrounding the dam has popular picnic spots.

External links

* [http://www.rajirrigation.gov.in/4bhakhra.htm#BHAKRA Bhakra Dam] , Government of Rajasthan