Bharuch: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the presence of BJP national president Amit Shah is likely to dedicate the gates of Sardar Sarovar Narmada dam in Central Gujarat in upcoming month of August.

With closure of gates over Narmada dam the full height will be 138.68 meter much higher than existing 121.92 meter level.

If permission to close the gates is granted which is very much likely due to Supreme Court order, 1441 more villages including 124 villages of Rajasthan will get benefit of water. At present 8049 villages and 157 urban areas are benefited through Narmada water. The increased height and closure of gates will also boost power generation by 30.51%.

Closure of gates at Narmada dam will make water storage capacity of 4.75 million acre ft in Sardar Sarovar. 9,663 villages and 257 urban areas(cities/towns) will get drinking water supply. 17.45 lakh hectare land will get irrigation water. 472 crore square meter water which is otherwise wasted in overflow will be saved. Power generation will be up by 30.51%. Full water level in dam will satisfy the needs of drinking water and irrigation supply for six years.

At present level of 121.92 meter, water storage capacity at Narmada dam is just 24%. With closure of 30 gates the capacity will increase to 76%, which means three time more water storage at dam.

Some of the works pending now before inauguration of gates are submersible pump installation, lighting and gentry crane.

DeshGujarat