The Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP) stands as one of India’s most comprehensive examples of integrated water resource management. Built on the Narmada River, this multi-purpose project was conceived to address a wide range of water-related challenges across four states—Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. Its objectives include irrigation, drinking water supply, hydroelectric power generation, and flood control. The project exemplifies how a major river basin can be holistically managed to serve diverse needs across regions and sectors, ensuring sustainable development and equitable resource distribution.
The need for such an integrated approach was driven by the recurring droughts in Gujarat and Rajasthan, the underutilization of the Narmada’s water potential, and the growing demand for clean energy and drinking water. By combining infrastructure development with inter-state cooperation, the SSP has become a model for managing river basins in a way that balances ecological, economic, and social priorities.
The foundation for the Sardar Sarovar Project was laid through the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal (NWDT), which was constituted in 1969 to resolve disputes among the basin states. After nearly a decade of deliberation, the tribunal issued its final award in 1979, allocating water and power shares among Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. This legal framework provided the basis for planning and executing the project’s various components.
The SSP includes the massive Sardar Sarovar Dam, an extensive canal network, two major hydroelectric powerhouses (the River Bed Power House and the Canal Head Power House), and a vast system of pipelines and distribution channels. Each component was meticulously designed to serve specific functions while contributing to the overall goal of integrated water management. The project also established institutional mechanisms for inter-state coordination, ensuring that water and power are shared as per the tribunal’s guidelines.
The main dam, completed to its full height of 163 meters, created the Sardar Sarovar Reservoir with a gross storage capacity of 9.5 billion cubic meters. This reservoir is the heart of the project, enabling regulated water releases for irrigation, drinking water, and power generation. The Narmada Main Canal, stretching over 460 kilometers in Gujarat and extending into Rajasthan, distributes water to over 18 lakh hectares of farmland. This canal is supported by a network of branch canals, distributaries, and minors totaling more than 71,000 kilometers.
In addition to irrigation, the project has laid thousands of kilometers of drinking water pipelines, bringing potable water to over 9,000 villages and 173 towns. This has significantly improved public health and reduced the burden on women and children who previously had to travel long distances to fetch water. The dam also plays a crucial role in flood moderation, especially during the monsoon season, by regulating the flow of the Narmada and preventing downstream flooding.
Today, the Sardar Sarovar Project is fully operational and managed through a coordinated system that balances the needs of irrigation, drinking water, and power generation. Water releases are carefully scheduled based on seasonal demand, reservoir levels, and downstream requirements. The powerhouses generate a combined 1,450 MW of clean electricity, contributing to grid stability and supporting rural electrification.
Efforts are ongoing to ensure equitable distribution of water and power as per the NWDT award. This includes regular monitoring, data sharing among states, and the use of technology for efficient water management. The project has also embraced modern irrigation practices such as micro-irrigation and drip systems to enhance water use efficiency in the command areas.
The Sardar Sarovar Project has had a transformative impact on the socio-economic landscape of western India. It has revitalized agriculture, improved drinking water access, generated employment, and supported industrial growth. More importantly, it has demonstrated how large-scale river basin development can be achieved through integrated planning, inter-state cooperation, and a commitment to sustainability.
As India faces increasing water stress due to climate change and population growth, the lessons from the Sardar Sarovar Project are more relevant than ever. It serves as a successful model for managing complex water systems in a way that benefits people, the economy, and the environment.
Post a Comment