Narmada River-Life Line of
Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh

(Relevant for General Studies Prelims and Mains Examination)

The Narmada River, the largest river in the westward direction in the peninsular region, flows through a rift valley situated between the Vindhya Range in the north and the Satpura Range in the south. It originates from the Maikala range near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh. The river encompasses a significant area in Madhya Pradesh and also flows through certain regions in Maharashtra and Gujarat. In the vicinity of Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, the river forms the spectacular Dhuan Dhar Falls. Within the estuary of the Narmada, there exist multiple islands, with Aliabet being the largest among them. Notable tributaries of the river include Hiran, Orsang, Barna, and Kolar. The basin of the Narmada houses significant hydroelectric power projects, such as Indira Sagar and Sardar Sarovar.

It is surrounded by the Vindhyas to the north, the Maikala range to the east, the Satpuras to the south, and the Arabian Sea to the west. From its origin in Amarkantak to its entry into the Gulf of Khambhat, it spans a total length of 1,310 km. The upper part of the basin consists of hilly regions, while the lower-middle stretches are wide and fertile, making them ideal for agriculture. Among the urban centers in the basin, Jabalpur holds the utmost significance. In the vicinity of Jabalpur, the river descends and forms the Dhuan Dhar Falls, where it cascades down 15 m into a gorge, creating a misty spectacle known as the Marble Rocks due to the gorge’s marble composition. Further downstream, the river forms two 12 m waterfalls at Mandhar and Dardi. Near Maheshwar, it descends once again, creating an 8 m waterfall called the Sahasradhara Falls. Within the estuary of the Narmada, there are multiple islands, with Aliabet being the largest among them.

Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA):

• This movement originated in India and was led by indigenous tribes (adivasis), farmers, environmentalists, and human rights activists.
• Its purpose was to oppose various extensive dam projects constructed along the Narmada River. One of the prominent focal points of this movement was the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat, which stands as one of the largest dams on the river.

Gujrat – Madhya Pradesh link

• A dispute has arisen between Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat regarding the distribution of Narmada river waters.
• Madhya Pradesh has issued a warning to limit the flow of water into the Sardar Sarovar Dam, situated in Gujarat. The Sardar Sarovar Project comprises two power stations, namely the River Bed Power House (RBPH; 1,200 MW) and the Canal Head Power House (250 MW).
• The allocation of power is divided among Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat in a ratio of 57:27:16. Since 2017, the RBPH has been non-operational, as Gujarat insists that power generation should commence only when the reservoir reaches its full capacity. According to Gujarat, its share of 9 MAF (million-acre feet) of water during a normal monsoon is insufficient for power generation, as the primary priorities are drinking water supply and irrigation. Gujarat has further argued that reaching the full reservoir level (FRL) is crucial to test the dam’s stability at that height.
• Considering these factors, the Narmada Control Authority has granted permission to delay power generation until the dam reaches its maximum capacity.
• Madhya Pradesh is dissatisfied with frequent power outages and has refused to release the surplus share for power generation or to permit testing of the dam at the FRL.”

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