Gujarat’s Sardar Sarovar Dam Reaches Full Reservoir Level For Seventh Time
Dam reaches 138.68 metres, boosting Gujarat’s water reserves.
The Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam reached its full reservoir level of 138.68 metres (455 feet) on Wednesday, marking the seventh time since 2017 that the reservoir has reached its maximum level. The development provides Gujarat with a substantial water buffer ahead of the summer months, following steady inflows into the Narmada basin.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the dam site at Ekta Nagar to mark the occasion and performed Jal Poojan as the reservoir reached its full level. The ceremony was conducted with Vedic chants and traditional rituals. At 138.68 metres, the reservoir has a total water storage capacity of 9,460 million cubic metres (MCM).
Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the Sardar Sarovar Dam to the nation on September 17, 2017, the reservoir has reached its maximum level in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. The project currently supplies drinking water to more than four crore people across 10,453 villages, 191 cities and seven municipal corporations in Gujarat.
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Patel said Gujarat currently had around 7.9 million acre-feet (MAF) of water available based on the total water received in the Narmada basin during the current year, compared with the state's normal-year allocation of 9 MAF. He stressed the need for planned and judicious use of the available water, describing conservation and efficient utilisation as a collective responsibility.
The state government said water was also supplied to North Gujarat, Saurashtra and Kutch through the Sujalam-Sufalam and SAUNI Yojana during the current monsoon. Under Sujalam-Sufalam, 201 MCM, equivalent to 7,118 million cubic feet, was supplied and used to fill 1,028 lakes. Through the SAUNI Yojana, another 288 MCM, or 10,189 MCFT, was supplied, filling 167 lakes, 1,014 check dams and 45 dams.
Patel performed Jal Poojan at the dam for the third consecutive year and offered prayers for the water stored at the full reservoir level. The government also highlighted the completion of the remaining work on the Narmada Dam and installation of its gates following approval by the Centre. Several state ministers, elected representatives, senior officials and representatives of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited attended the ceremony.
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