Indira Sagar Dam
The Indira Sagar Dam is one of the largest reservoirs in India. It is located on the Narmada River, which is the fifth largest river in the Indian subcontinent. The dam is situated in the Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh.

Location and Purpose
The Indira Sagar Dam is constructed on the Narmada River near the village of Punasa. The main purpose of the dam is to provide irrigation water to the surrounding agricultural areas and to generate hydroelectric power. The reservoir created by the dam has a storage capacity of 12.22 billion cubic meters.

Construction
The construction of the Indira Sagar Dam began in 1984 and was completed in 2005. It is a concrete gravity dam with a height of 92 meters and a length of 653 meters. The dam has 30 radial gates that regulate the flow of water. The construction of the dam involved the displacement of thousands of people from the reservoir area.

Hydroelectric Power Generation
The Indira Sagar Dam has a powerhouse with six generating units, each with a capacity of 50 megawatts. This makes it one of the largest hydroelectric power stations in India. The power generated by the dam is used to meet the electricity needs of the surrounding areas.

Irrigation
The Indira Sagar Dam provides water for irrigation to a large command area covering parts of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. The water from the reservoir is released into canals that distribute it to the agricultural fields. This has greatly benefited the farmers in the region, increasing their agricultural productivity.

Environmental Impact
While the Indira Sagar Dam has brought numerous benefits, it has also had environmental consequences. The construction of the dam has led to the submergence of large areas of land, displacing people and causing the loss of forests and wildlife habitats. Efforts have been made to mitigate these impacts through the implementation of resettlement and rehabilitation programs.

Overall, the Indira Sagar Dam on the Narmada River plays a significant role in providing irrigation water and hydroelectric power to the region. Its construction has brought both benefits and challenges, contributing to the development of the surrounding areas while also impacting the environment and local communities.