Narmada River

2023-05-30T11:56:29Z

Statueofunityguide: /* See also */

{{original research|date=March 2019}}

{{short description|River of central India in a rift valley}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2013}}
{{Infobox river
| name = Narmada
| name_native = 
| name_native_lang =
| name_othennr =
| name_etymology =

| image = Narmada River Jabalpur India.jpg
| image_size =
| image_caption = At Bhedaghat in Jabalpur, India
| map = [[File:Narmada river map.jpg|250px]][[File:Narmadarivermap.jpg|250px]]
| map_size =
| map_caption = Maps showing the course of the Narmada, selected tributaries, and the approximate extent of its drainage area
| pushpin_map =
| pushpin_map_size =
| pushpin_map_caption=

| subdivision_type1 = Country
| subdivision_name1 = [[India]]
| subdivision_type2 = State
| subdivision_name2 = [[Madhya Pradesh]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Gujarat]]
| subdivision_type3 =
| subdivision_name3 =
| subdivision_type4 =
| subdivision_name4 =
| subdivision_type5 = City
| subdivision_name5 = [[Narmadapuram]], [[Budhni]],
[[Jabalpur]], [[Dindori, Madhya Pradesh|Dindori]], [[Narsinghpur]] [[Harda]], [[Mandhata]], [[Omkareshwar]], [[Barwaha]], [[Mandleshwar]], [[Maheshwar]], [[Mandla]], [[Bharuch]], [[Rajpipla]], [[Sinor, Gujarat|Sinor]] ([[Vadodara District]]), [[Dabhoi]] ([[Vadodara District]]), [[Karjan]] ([[Vadodara District]]), [[Dharampuri]]

| length = {{convert|1312|km|mi|abbr=on}}approx.
| width_min =
| width_avg =
| width_max =
| depth_min =
| depth_avg =
| depth_max =
| discharge1_location=
| discharge1_min =
| discharge1_avg = {{convert|1447|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge1_max =
| discharge2_location= Garudeshwar<ref>{{cite web
| title = Narmada Basin Station: Garudeshwar
| publisher = UNH/GRDC
| url = http://www.compositerunoff.sr.unh.edu/html/Polygons/P2853200.html
| access-date = 2013-10-01
}}</ref>
| discharge2_min = {{convert|10|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge2_avg = {{convert|1216|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}
| discharge2_max = {{convert|11246|m3/s|cuft/s|abbr=on}}

| source1 = [[Narmada Kund]]
| source1_location = Vindhyachal Parvat [[Amarkantak]] [[Plateau]], [[Anuppur district]], [[Central India]], [[Madhya Pradesh]]
| source1_coordinates= {{coord|22|40|0|N|81|45|0|E|display=inline}}
| source1_elevation = {{convert|1048|m|abbr=on}}
| mouth = [[Gulf of Khambhat]] ([[Arabian Sea]])
| mouth_location = [[Bharuch District]], [[Gujarat]]
| mouth_coordinates = {{coord|21|39|3.77|N|72|48|42.8|E|display=inline,title}}
| mouth_elevation = {{convert|0|m|abbr=on}}
| progression =
| river_system =
| basin_size =
| tributaries_left = Kharmer, Burhner, Banjar, Temur, Sanair (Saner), Sher, [[Shakkar River|Shakkar]], Dudhi, Sukhri, [[Tawa River|Tawa]], Hather, Ganjal, Ajnal, Machak, Chhota Tawa, [[Kaveri River, Madhya Pradesh|Kaveri (MP)]], Khurkia, Kunda, Borad, Deb, Goi, Karjan
| tributaries_right = Silgi, Balai, Gaur, Hiran, Biranjo, Tendoni, [[Barna Dam|Barna]], [[Kolar River (Madhya Pradesh)|Kolar (MP)]], Sip, Jamner, Chandrakeshar, Khari, Kenar, [[Choral River|Choral]], Karam, Man, Uri, Hathni, [[Orsang]]
| custom_label =
| custom_data =
| extra =
}}
The '''Narmada River''', also called the '''Reva''' and previously also known as ''Narbada'' or anglicised as ''Nerbudda'',<ref name=EB1911>{{cite EB1911 |wstitle=Nerbudda |volume=19 |page=388}}</ref> is the 5th longest river and overall longest west-flowing river in India, and largest flowing river of the state of [[Madhya Pradesh]]. This river flows through Madhya Pradesh and [[Gujarat]] states of India. It is also known as "Life Line of [[Madhya Pradesh]] and [[Gujarat]]" for its huge contribution to the state of [[Madhya Pradesh]] and [[Gujarat]] in many ways. Narmada rises from [[Amarkantak|Amarkantak Plateau]] in [[Anuppur district]] [[Madhya Pradesh]]. It forms the traditional boundary between [[North India]] and [[South India]] and flows westwards over a length of {{convert|1312|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} before draining through the [[Gulf of Khambhat]] into the [[Arabian Sea]], {{convert|30|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} west of [[Bharuch]] city of [[Gujarat]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nvda.nic.in/nvda.htm |title=Narmada Valley Development Authority, NVDA, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Narmada Basin, Narmada Water Dispute |publisher=Nvda.nic.in |date=1985-07-16 |access-date=2014-03-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140528090902/http://www.nvda.nic.in/nvda.htm |archive-date=28 May 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/rivers/narmada.html|title=Narmada River }}</ref>

It is one of only two major rivers in peninsular India that run from east to west (longest west flowing river), along with the [[Tapti River]]. It is one of the rivers in India that flows in a [[rift valley]], bordered by the [[Satpura]] and [[Vindhya]] ranges. As a rift valley river, the Narmada does not form a delta; Rift valley rivers form estuaries. The other rivers which flow through rift valley include [[Damodar River]] in [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]] and Tapti. The [[Tapti River]] and [[Mahi River]] also flow through rift valleys, but between different ranges. It flows through the states of [[Madhya Pradesh]] ({{convert|1077|km|mi|abbr=on|1}}), and [[Maharashtra]], ({{convert|74|km|mi|abbr=on|1}}),({{convert|39|km|mi|abbr=on|1}}) (actually along the border between Madhya Pradesh and [[Maharashtra]] ({{convert|39|km|mi|abbr=on|1}}) and then the border between Maharastra and [[Gujarat]] ({{convert|74|km|mi|abbr=on|1}}) and in Gujarat ({{convert|161|km|mi|abbr=on|1}})).<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=http://nca.gov.in/nb_geogr.htm |title=Narmada Control Authority |publisher=NCA |access-date=21 March 2013}}</ref>

The [[Periplus of the Erythraean Sea|Periplus Maris Erythraei]] (c. 80 AD) calls it the Nammadus,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ntz.info/gen/b00523.html#id05144 |title=paragraph 42 |publisher=Ntz.info |access-date=21 March 2013}}</ref> and the [[British Raj]] called it the Nerbudda or Narbada.<ref>11th edition of Encyclopædia Britannica.</ref> Narmada is a [[Sanskrit]] word meaning "The Giver of Pleasure"''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Monier Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary |url=http://www.sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de/monier/ |publisher=Sanskrit-lexicon.uni-koeln.de}}</ref>''

== River regime ==
[[File:Amarkantak.jpg|thumb|right|Narmada Kund, origin at [[Amarkantak]]]]
[[File:Narmada River .jpg|thumb|Narmada River at Tilwara ghat, [[Jabalpur]]]]
[[File:Omkareshwar1.JPG|thumb|River in [[Omkareshwar]]]]
[[File:Dhuandhar falls4.JPG|thumb|The River Narmada flows through a [[gorge]] of Marble rocks in [[Bhedaghat]]]]
[[File:Dhuandhar falls2.JPG|thumb|Side view of the [[Dhuandhar Fall]]s seen during the [[monsoon]] season.]]

The source of the Narmada is a small reservoir, known as the [[Narmada Kund]], located at [[Amarkantak]] on the Amarkantak Plateau<ref>{{cite book |title=India: Physical Environment |publisher=NCERT |date=March 2006 |pages=27 |chapter=Chapter 3: Drainage System |isbn=81-7450-538-5}}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1" /> in the [[Anuppur District]], Shahdol zone of eastern [[Madhya Pradesh]].<ref>Chadhar, Mohanlal (2017), Amarakantak kshetra ka puravaibhava, SSDN, Publisher and Distributor, New Delhi, {{ISBN|978-93-8357-509-1}}</ref> The river descends from Sonmuda, then falls over a cliff as Kapildhara waterfall and meanders in the hills, flowing through a tortuous course crossing the rocks and islands up to the ruined palace of Ramnagar. Between [[Ramnagar, Madhya Pradesh|Ramnagar]] and [[Mandla]], ({{convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on|1}}), further southeast, the course is comparatively straight with deep water devoid of rocky obstacles. The Banger joins from the left. The river then runs north–west in a narrow loop towards [[Jabalpur]]. Close to this city, after a fall of some ({{convert|9|m|ft|abbr=on|1}}), called the [[Dhuandhar Falls|Dhuandhara]], the fall of [[mist]], it flows for ({{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on|1}}), in a deep narrow channel through the magnesium [[limestone]] and [[basalt]] rocks called the [[Marble Rocks]]; from a width of about {{convert|90|m|ft|abbr=on|1}}, above, it is compressed in this channel of ({{convert|18|m|ft|abbr=on|1}}), only. Beyond this point up to its meeting the Arabian Sea, the Narmada enters three narrow valleys between the Vindhya scarps in the north and the Satpura range in the South. The southern extension of the valley is wider at most places. These three valley sections are separated by the closely approaching line of the [[Fault scarp|scarps]] and the Satpura hills.
[[File:Bhedaghat1 (Hsk007in).jpg|thumb|right|Marble rocks alongside Narmada River]]

Emerging from the [[Marble Rocks]] the river enters its first fertile basin, which extends about {{convert|320|km|mi|abbr=on|1}}, with an average width of {{convert|35|km|mi|abbr=on|1}}, in the south. In the north, the valley is limited to the Barna–Bareli plain terminating at Barkhara Hills opposite [[Hoshangabad]]. However, the hills again recede in the Kannod plains. The banks are about ({{convert|12|m|ft|abbr=on|1}}) high. It is in the first valley of the Narmada that many of its important tributaries from the south join it and bring the waters of the northern slopes of the [[Satpura Hills]].<ref name=EB1911 /> Among them are: the Sher, the Shakkar, the Dudhi, the [[Tawa River|Tawa]] (biggest tributary) and the Ganjal. The Hiran, the [[Barna Dam|Barna]], the [[Choral River|Choral]], the Karam and the Lohar are the important tributaries joining from the north.

Below [[Handia, Madhya Pradesh|Handia]] and Nemawar to Hiran fall (the deer's leap), the river is approached by hills from both sides. In this stretch the character of the river is varied. The [[Omkareshwar]] island, sacred to the Lord [[Shiva]], is the most important river island in Madhya Pradesh. At first, the descent is rapid and the stream, quickening in pace, rushes over a barrier of rocks. The Sikta and the [[Kaveri River, Madhya Pradesh|Kaveri]] join it below the [[Khandwa]] plain. At two points, at Mandhar, about {{convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} below Nemawar, and Dadrai, {{convert|40|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} further down near Punasa, the river falls over a height of about {{convert|12|m|ft|abbr=on|1}}.
[[File:Narmada river.jpg|thumb|right|Narmada River at full flow during monsoon in [[Bhedaghat]].]]

A few kilometres further down in [[Barwaha]] the Narmada enters the [[Mandleshwar]] plain, the second basin about {{convert|180|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} long and {{convert|65|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} wide in the south. The northern strip of the basin is only {{convert|25|km|mi|abbr=on|1}}. The second valley section is broken only by Saheshwar Dhara fall. The early course of about {{convert|125|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} up to Markari falls is met with a succession of [[cataracts]] and [[rapids]] from the elevated table land of [[Malwa]] to the low level of Gujarat plain. Towards the west of this basin, the hills draw very close but soon dwindle down.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

Below Makrai, the river flows between [[Baroda|Vadodara]] district and [[Narmada district]] and then meanders through the rich plain of [[Bharuch district]] of Gujarat state. The banks are high between the layers of old alluvial deposits, hardened mud, [[gravel]]s of nodular [[limestone]] and [[sand]]. The width of the river spans from about {{convert|1.5|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} at Makrai to {{convert|3|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} near Bharuch and to an estuary of {{convert|21|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} at the [[Gulf of Cambay]]. An old channel of the river, {{convert|1|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} to {{convert|2|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} south from the present one, is very clear below Bharuch. The Karanjan and the Orsing are the most important tributaries in the original course. The former joins at Rundh and the latter at Vyas in [[Vadodara district]] of Gujarat, opposite each other and form a Triveni (confluence of three rivers) on the Narmada. The [[Amaravathi River|Amaravati]] and the Bhukhi are other tributaries of significance. Opposite the mouth of the Bhukhi is a large drift called Alia Bet or Kadaria Bet.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

The tidal rise is felt up to {{convert|32|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} above Bharuch, where the neap tides rise to about a metre and spring tide {{convert|3.5|m|ft|abbr=on|1}}. The river is navigable for vessels of the burthen of 95 tonnes (i.e., 380 Bombay candies) up to Bharuch and for vessels up to 35 tonnes (140 Bombay candies) up to Shamlapitha or Ghangdia. The small vessels (10 tonnes) voyage up to Tilakawada in Gujarat. There are sand bases and [[shoals]] at mouth and at Bharuch. The nearby island of Kabirvad, in the Narmada River, features a gigantic [[Banyan tree]], which covers {{convert|10000|m2|acre}}.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://traveliteindia.com/guide/state/gujarat.asp |title=Gujarat |publisher=traveliteindia.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080614190501/http://www.traveliteindia.com/guide/state/gujarat.asp |archive-date=14 June 2008 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

== Narmada basin ==
[[File:1 Narmada River and a Bridge Gujarat India.jpg|thumb|Railway Bridge on river Narmada at Bharuch, Gujarat]]
The [[Narmada Valley Development Authority#Narmada Basin|Narmada basin]], hemmed between Vindya and Satpura ranges, extends over an area of {{convert|98796|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|1}} and lies between east longitudes 72 degrees 32' to 81 degrees 45' and north latitudes 21 degrees 20' to 23 degrees 45' lying on the northern extremity of the [[Deccan Plateau]]. The basin covers large areas in the states of Madhya Pradesh (82%), Gujarat (12%) and a comparatively smaller area (4%) in Maharashtra and in (2%) in Chhattisgarh. In the river course of {{convert|1312|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} explained above, there are 41 tributaries, out of which 22 are from the Satpura range and the rest on the right bank are from the Vindhya range.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> [[Dhupgarh]] (1,350 m), near [[Pachmarhi]] is the highest point of the Narmada basin.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/research/a-short-history-of-the-sardar-sarovar-dam-on-river-narmada-4847807/|title=A short history of the Sardar Sarovar Dam on river Narmada}}</ref>

The basin has five well defined physiographic regions. They are:(1) The upper hilly areas covering the districts of [[Shahdol district|Shahdol]], [[Mandla district|Mandla]], [[Durg district|Durg]], [[Balaghat district|Balaghat]] and [[Seoni district|Seoni]], (2) The upper plains covering the districts of [[Jabalpur district|Jabalpur]], [[Narsinghpur district|Narsinghpur]], [[Sagar district|Sagar]], [[Damoh district|Damoh]], [[Chhindwara district|Chhindwara]], [[Hoshangabad district|Hosangabad]], [[Betul District|Betul]], [[Raisen district|Raisen]] and [[Sehore district|Sehore]], (3) The middle plains covering the districts of [[Khandwa district|Khandwa]], part of [[Khargone district|Khargone]], [[Dewas district|Dewas]], [[Indore district|Indore]] and [[Dhar district|Dhar]], (4) The lower hilly areas covering part of the west [[Nimar]], [[Jhabua district|Jhabua]], [[Dhulia] Maharashtra], [[Narmada district|Narmada]] and parts of [[Vadodara district|Vadodara]], and (5) the lower plains covering mainly the districts of [[Narmada district|Narmada]], [[Bharuch district|Bharuch]], and parts of [[Vadodara district]]. The hill regions are well forested. The upper, middle and lower plains are broad and fertile areas, well suited for cultivation. The Narmada basin mainly consists of black soils. The coastal plains in Gujarat are composed of [[alluvial]] [[clay]]s with a layer of black soils on the surface.<ref>[http://nwda.gov.in/writereaddata/sublink2images/271.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304065702/http://nwda.gov.in/writereaddata/sublink2images/271.pdf|date=4 March 2009}}</ref>

The valley experiences extremes of [[hydrometeorological]] and [[climatic]] conditions with the upper catchment having an annual [[precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] in the range of {{convert|1000|mm|ft|abbr=on|1}} to {{convert|1850|mm|ft|abbr=on|1}} and with half or even less than half in its lower regions ({{convert|650|mm|ft|abbr=on|1}}–{{convert|750|mm|ft|abbr=on|1}}); the diversity of vegetation from lush green in the upper region to dry [[deciduous]] [[teak]] forest vegetation in the lower region is testimony to this feature.<ref name=autogenerated1 />

The Irrigation Commission (1972) identified the Narmada basin in Madhya Pradesh as drought affected and a large part of [[North Gujarat]], [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]] and [[Kutch]] as [[semi-arid]] or [[arid]] scarcity regions on account of extreme unreliability of rainfall, rendering them 'chronically' drought-prone and subject to serious drinking water problems.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

== Geology ==
About 270 million years ago, the continents existed in two large masses and [[India]] was a part of the southern continental mass commonly known as [[Gondwana]]. Between the two continents, a large sea, [[Tethys Ocean|Tethys]] existed. Presently the [[Himalayas]] and the
[[Tibetan Plateau]] have taken the position of the ancient [[Tethys Ocean]]. The [[Gondwana]] was intruded by few large [[marine transgressions]]. A deep gulf or sea existed along the [[Sindh]]-[[Baluchistan]] and [[Kutchh]]. At one time, a marine ravine penetrated the very centre of Peninsular India through a narrow inlet along the present valley of Narmada. During this time [[India]] was divided into two halves by narrow strips of [[marine transgressions]] and there was no land communication between the Peninsular and northern India. Along the Narmada Valley, several patches of sediments have been deposited which
contains ancient remains of animals. These fossils are similar to those found along the tracts of [[Tapti River|Tapi river]]. Such similarity probably suggests that even about 3 million years ago, [[Narmada]] and [[Tapti River|Tapi]] were confluent and the separate fate of these two rivers was decided by recent earth movements. The [[Bhedaghat]] falls of Narmada, near [[Jabalpur]], was probably created during one such movement.
The Narmada Valley is a [[graben]], a layered block of the [[Earth's crust]] that dropped down relative to the blocks on either side due to ancient spreading of the Earth's crust. Two normal [[fault (geology)|faults]], known as the Narmada North fault and Narmada South fault, parallel to the river's course, and mark the boundary between the Narmada block and the Vindhya and Satpura blocks or Horsts which rose relative to the Narmada Graben. The Narmada's watershed includes the northern slopes of the Satpuras, and the steep southern slope of the Vindhyas, but not the Vindhyan [[tableland]], the streams from which flow into the [[Ganges]] and [[Yamuna]].<ref name=EB1911 /> The Narmada valley is considered extremely important for palaeontological studies in India. Several dinosaur fossils have been found in the area including ''[[Titanosaurus indicus]]'' found in 1877 by [[Richard Lydekker]] and the recently discovered ''[[Rajasaurus narmadensis]]''.

== Significance in Hinduism ==

[[File:Temple in Maheshwar.jpg|thumb|A scenic view of Maheshwar on the banks of Narmada]]
[[File:Omkareshwar Temple 03.jpg|thumb|Omkareshwar temple on the banks of Narmada river]]
To [[Hinduism|Hindus]] the Narmada is one of the seven holy rivers of India; the other six being [[Ganges]], [[Yamuna]], [[Godavari]], [[Sarasvati River|Saraswati]], [[Sindhu]], and [[Kaveri]]. It is believed that a dip in any of these seven rivers washes one's sins away. According to a legend, the river Ganges assumes the form of a black cow and comes to the Narmada to bathe and cleanse itself in its holy waters.

The river was mentioned by [[Ptolemy]] in the second century AD as Namade<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.answers.com/topic/narmada-river |title=Narmada river |publisher=Answers.com |access-date=21 March 2013}}</ref> and by the author of the [[Periplus]].<ref>[http://www.thebeadsite.com/UNIMPG-1.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110210172325/http://www.thebeadsite.com/UNIMPG-1.html|date=10 February 2011}}</ref><ref>[http://www.thebeadsite.com/UNI-MAPS.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720220940/http://www.thebeadsite.com/UNI-MAPS.html|date=20 July 2014}}</ref> The [[Ramayana]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.valmikiramayan.net/kishkindha/sarga41/kishkindha_41_prose.htm |title=Valmiki Ramayana – Kishkindha Kanda |publisher=Valmikiramayan.net |access-date=21 March 2013}}</ref> the [[Mahabharat]], and the [[Puranas]] refer to it frequently. The Reva Khand of [[Vayu Purana]] and the Reva Khand of [[Skanda Purana]] are entirely devoted to the story of the birth and the importance of the river, and hence Narmada is also called the Reva.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

There are many fables about the origin of the Narmada. According to one of them, once Lord Shiva, the Destroyer of the [[Universe]], meditated so hard that he started perspiring. Shiva's sweat accumulated in a tank and started flowing in the form of a river – the Narmada. Another legend has it that two teardrops that fell from the eyes of Lord [[Brahma]], the [[Creator deity|creator of the universe]], yielded two rivers – the Narmada and the [[Brahmaputra]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiasite.com/madhyapradesh/rivers.html |title=Famous rivers of Madhya Pradesh |publisher=Indiasite.com |access-date=21 March 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126190020/http://www.indiasite.com/madhyapradesh/rivers.html |archive-date=26 January 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

All the pebbles rolling on its bed are said to take the shape of his emblem with the saying, "Narmada Ke Kanker utte Sankar" (a popular saying in the Hindi and Bundeli belt of India), which means that 'pebble stones of Narmada get a personified form of Shiva'. These lingam shaped stones (very fine-grained [[sandstone]]), called [[Banalinga]] (also called Banashivalingas, Narmada Lingams, and Tantric Lingams) are much sought after for daily worship by the Hindus.<ref>{{cite book|last=Elgood|first=Heather|title=Hinduism and the Religious Arts|year=1999|publisher=Cassell|location=New York|isbn=0-304-70739-2|page=47}}</ref> The [[Brihadeeswara Temple]] in [[Thanjavur]], Tamil Nadu, constructed by [[Rajaraja Chola]], has one of the biggest Banalingas. [[Adi Shankara]] met his guru [[Govinda Bhagavatpada]] on the banks of the river Narmada.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

Narmada is also said to have been engaged with the [[Son River|Sonbhadra]], another river flowing on the [[Chota Nagpur Plateau]]. According to the [[Puranas]], the Narmada is also called the Reva, from its leaping motion (from the root 'rev') through its rocky bed.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

Important religious places and [[Ghat]]s along the course of the river, starting from its origin at Narmada Kund at [[Amarkantak]] hill;

1.[[Amarkantak]] (in [[Sanskrit]]: Neck of Shiva) or Teertharaj (the King of Pilgrimages),

''2.'' [[Omkareshwar]](Khandwa District),

3. [[Maheshwar]], and Mahadeo temples,

4. Siddheshwar Temple, Nemawar in the middle reach of the river – (2,3,4 all named after Shiva),

5. [[Chausath Yogini Temple, Jabalpur]] (Sixty Four Yoginis) Bhedaghat,

6. Chaubis Avatar Temple, Omkareshwar,

''7.'' [[Bhrigu]] [[Rishi]] temple in Bharuch.

The Narmada River is also worshipped as mother goddess by Narmadeeya Brahmins.{{citation needed|date=June 2019}}

The importance of the Narmada River as sacred is testified by the fact that the pilgrims perform a holy pilgrimage of a [[parikrama]] or [[circumambulation]] of the river.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brill.com/narmadaparikrama-circumambulation-narmada-river |title=Narmadāparikramā – Circumambulation of the Narmadā River |publisher=Brill |access-date=2014-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917222019/http://www.brill.com/narmadaparikrama-circumambulation-narmada-river |archive-date=17 September 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Narmada Parikrama, as it is called, is considered to be a meritorious act that a pilgrim can undertake.<ref name=EB1911 /> Many [[sadhus]] and pilgrims walk on foot from the [[Arabian Sea]] at Bharuch in Gujarat, along the river, to the source in Maikal Mountains (Amarkantak hills) in Madhya Pradesh and back along the opposite bank of the river. It is a {{convert|2600|km|adj=on}} walk.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mukti4u2.dk/narmada_river.htm |title=Narmada River |publisher=Mukti4u2.dk |access-date=21 March 2013}}</ref> The spiritual journey is usually taken for 3 years, 3 months and 13 days and the pilgrims are stipulated not to cross the river at any point of time.<ref>{{cite journal|title=The sacred Narmada parikrama|journal=Tattvaloka|date=September 2018|volume=XLI|issue=6|publisher=Sri Abhinava Vidyatheertha Mahaswamigal Educational Trust|location=[[Sringeri]]|issn=0970-8901|last=Natarajan|first=Padmini|pages=53–5}}</ref> Important towns of interest in the valley are [[Jabalpur]], [[Barwani|Barwaha]] , [[Hoshangabad]], Harda, Narmada Nagar, Omkareshwar, Dewas (Nemavar, Kity, Pipri), Mandla and Maheshwar in Madhya Pradesh, and [[Rajpipla]] and Bharuch in Gujarat. Some places of historical interest are Joga Ka Quilla, Chhatri of Baji Rao Peshwa and [[Bhimbetka]], and among the falls are the Dugdhdhara, Dhardi falls, Bheraghat, Dhuandhara, Kapiladhara and Sahastradhara.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nca.gov.in/nb_place_falls1.htm |title=Narmada Control Authority |publisher=NCA |access-date=21 March 2013}}</ref>

== Facts of the valley ==
In Indian history, [[Kannada]] emperor from [[chalukya]] dynasty [[Pulakeshin II]] is said to have defeated emperor [[Harshavardhana]] of [[Kannauj]] on the banks of Narmada.

The valley is famous for the gorgeous Maheshwari [[sari]]s, which are handwoven; comfortable in warm and cold weather, dressy and yet light; these saris have a dedicated, select following among Indian women.{{Advert inline|date=September 2021}}

== Forests and sanctuaries ==
[[File:Amarkantak3.jpg|thumb|Forests of [[Amarkantak]]]]
[[File:Bark of Lagerstroemia parviflora.jpg|thumb|Bark of ''Lagerstroemia parviflora'']]
[[File:Tigeress with cubs in Kanha Tiger reserve.jpg|thumb|Tigress with her two cubs in [[Kanha National Park]]]]

Teak and India's best [[hardwood]] forests are found in the Narmada River basin and they are much older than the ones in the [[Himalayas]]. The lower Narmada River Valley and the surrounding uplands, covering an area of{{convert|169900|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|1}} consists of dry [[deciduous]] forests. The [[ecoregion]] lies between moister forests to the northeast, southeast, and southwest, which receive greater rainfall from the southeast [[monsoon]], and the drier forests and [[scrubland]]s of the [[Deccan Plateau|Deccan]] to the south and [[Malwa]] and [[Gujarat]] to the west and northwest. The natural vegetation of the region is a three–tiered forest. ''[[Teak|Tectona grandis]]'' is the dominant canopy tree, in association with ''[[Coromandel Ebony|Diospyros melanoxylon]]'', Dhaora (''[[Anogeissus latifolia]]''), ''Lagerstroemia parviflora'', ''[[Terminalia tomentosa]]'', ''Lannea coromandelica'', ''[[Hardwickia binata]]'' and ''[[Boswellia serrata]]''. [[Riparian]] areas along the regions' rivers and streams, which receive year– round water, are home to moist evergreen forests, whose dominant tree species are ''[[Terminalia arjuna]]'', ''[[Syzygium cumini]]'' (Jambul), ''[[Syzygium]]'' ''Heyneanum'', ''[[Salix tetrasperma]]'', ''[[Homonoia (plant)|Homonoia riparia]]'', and ''[[Vitex negundo]]''.

The ecoregion is home to 76 species of [[mammals]] and to 276 bird species, none of which are [[endemism|endemic]]. About 30% of the ecoregion is covered in relatively intact vegetation. The ecoregion includes some large blocks of habitat in the [[Vindhya]] and [[Satpura]] ranges. About 5% of the ecoregion lies within [[protected areas]], including [[Bandhavgarh]], [[Panna, India|Panna]], and [[Sanjay National Park]]s.

Some of the important national parks and wild life sanctuaries in the valley are the following-: [[Kanha National Park]] located in the upper reaches of Narmada, about {{convert|18|km|mi|abbr=on|1}} from Mandla, boasts of several wild animals including the [[Tiger]]. Two tributaries of Narmada, namely, Hallon and Banjar, flow through this park. It is one of the best National Parks of [[Asia]], which has been described vividly by [[Rudyard Kipling]] in his famous creation ''[[The Jungle Book]]''.

[[Satpura National Park]], set up in 1981, is located in [[Hoshangabad district]] of [[Madhya Pradesh]]. Its name is derived from Satpura hill ranges (Mahadeo hills) and covers an area of {{convert|524|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|1}} and along with the adjoining Bori and Panchmarhi Sanctuaries, provides {{convert|1427|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|1}} of unique central Indian Highland ecosystem. [[Satpura National Park]], being part of a unique ecosystem, is very rich in biodiversity. The fauna comprises tiger, [[leopard]], [[Sambar (deer)|sambar]], [[chital]], bhedki, [[nilgai]], four-horned [[antelope]], [[chinkara]], [[gaur]], [[wild boar]], [[Dhole|wild dog]], [[sloth bear]], [[black buck]], fox, [[porcupine]], [[flying squirrel]], [[mouse deer]], [[Indian giant squirrel]]. There are a variety of birds. [[Hornbill]] and [[peafowl]] are the common birds. The flora of the national park consists of mainly [[Sal tree|sal]], teak, [[Diospyros melanoxylon|tendu]], [[Phyllanthus emblica|aonla]], [[Madhuca longifolia|mahua]], [[Aegle marmelos|bael]], [[bamboo]], and a variety of [[grasses]] and [[medicinal plants]].

Forest areas outside protected areas are also quite rich in floral and faunal diversity.

[[Mandla Plant Fossils National Park]], Dindori National [[fossil]]s park Ghughuya is situated in [[Dindori district]] of Madhya Pradesh in India. This national park has plants in fossil form that existed in India anywhere between 40 million and 150 million years ago spread over seven villages of [[Mandla District]] (Ghuguwa, Umaria, Deorakhurd, Barbaspur, Chanti-hills, Chargaon and Deori Kohani). The Mandla Plant Fossils National Park is an area that spreads over {{convert|274100|m2|ft2|abbr=on|1}}. Such fossils are found in three other villages of the district also, but they lie outside the national park.

One theory is that the area in which the fossils are located, i.e., the Narmada Valley near Mandla, was actually a deep inundation of the sea into [[peninsular India]] till the Post- [[Cambrian]] Tertiary age, about 40 million years ago. This means that Narmada was a very short river which terminated in the inland sea above Mandla, and that the recession of the sea caused geological disturbances, which created the present rift valley through which the Narmada River and Tapti River flow in their present journey to the Arabian Sea. All this, however, is speculation and conjecture because it is only recently that an interest has developed in the fossils of Mandla and detailed scientific studies are still wanting.

The Pachmarhi [[Biosphere Reserve]] covers part of three civil districts viz., Hoshangabad, [[Betul District|Betul]] and [[Chhindwara]] of Madhya Pradesh. The total area is {{convert|4926.28|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|1}}. It envelops three wildlife conservation units viz., Bori Sanctuary (518.00 km²), Satpura National Park ({{convert|524.37|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|1}}), and Pachmarhi Sanctuary ({{convert|461.37|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|1}}). Satpura National Park comprises the core zone and the remaining area of {{convert|4501.91|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|1}}), surrounding the core zone serves as buffer zone. The area comprises 511 villages. The area exhibits variety of geological rock and soil formations. There is a wide spectrum of [[floral]] and faunal features that occupy the Satpura conservation area. It is one of the oldest forest reserves, which has an established tradition of scientific management of forests. It constitutes a large contiguous forest block that harbours a community of plant and animal species typical of the central highland region.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gisdevelopment.net/application/environment/conservation/pdf/21.pdf |title=Microsoft Word – AD021full.doc |access-date=21 March 2013}}</ref>

Apart from the above national parks, there are also a number of natural preserves such as the Amarkantak, the [[Bagh Caves]] and the [[Bhedaghat]]. In compliance of the Environmental Action Plan for the Narmadasagar and Omkareswar HEPs, as per the recommendations of the [[Wildlife Institute of India]] three new protected areas may be created, which are, a) the Narmada National Park (496.70 km2), b) the Surmanya Sanctuary (126.67 km2) and c) Omkareshwar Sanctuary (119.96 km2) comprising a total area of {{cvt|788.57|km2}}.<ref>[http://www.ruffordsmallgrants.org/files/Rufford%20Final.doc] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080819205020/http://www.ruffordsmallgrants.org/files/Rufford%20Final.doc|date=19 August 2008}}</ref>

Shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary in Gujarat, near the Sardar Sarovar dam site, previously called the Dumkal Sloth Bear Sanctuary (old sanctuary has been expanded four times) now covers an area of about {{convert|607|km2|sqmi|abbr=on|1}}, comprises a major watershed feeding the Sardar Sarovar and Karjan reservoir (on the Karjan River, a tributary of Narmada in Gujarat). It is the habitat of mammals and a variety of birds, including [[eagle]]s and [[hawks]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nca.gov.in/faq1.htm |title=Narmada Control Authority |publisher=NCA |date=3 June 1987 |access-date=21 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://india.traveltoworld.com/india-travel-guide/509/shoolpaneshwar-sanctuary-gujarat/ |title=India Travel guide |publisher=India.traveltoworld.com |access-date=21 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619212557/http://india.traveltoworld.com/india-travel-guide/509/shoolpaneshwar-sanctuary-gujarat/ |archive-date=19 June 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

== Anthropological and archaeological sites ==
The development of the Narmadā river has led to the inundation of some archaeological and architectural sites. The Department of Archaeology, Museums and Archives, Government of Madhya Pradesh, undertook rescue excavations in response, and transplanted a number of temples.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mparchaeology.org/narmcons.asp |title=Department of Archaeology |publisher=Mparchaeology.org |access-date=2013-12-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131227141449/http://mparchaeology.org/narmcons.asp |archive-date=27 December 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> An attempt to comprehensively list and publish lost sites has been undertaken by Jürgen Neuss.<ref>{{cite web|author=J. Neuss|title= On the Loss of Cultural Heritage in the Narmada Valley|publisher=[[Berliner Indologische Studien]]|date=2012|pages=195–248|url=https://www.academia.edu/3110800|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130409232445/http://www.academia.edu/3110800/On_the_Loss_of_Cultural_Heritage_in_the_Narmada_Valley|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-04-09|access-date=2014-03-03}}</ref>

== Narmada river development (NRD) ==
The Narmada river has a huge water resources potential, as much as {{convert|33210000|acre.ft|km3}} of average annual flow (more than 90% of this flow occurring during the monsoon months of June – September), which according to estimates is greater than the combined annual flows of the [[Ravi River|Ravi]], [[Beas River|Beas]] and the [[Sutlej]] rivers, which feed the [[Indus]] basin. The 75% dependable flow is {{convert|28000000|acre.ft|km3}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nca.gov.in/rti_index.html |title=Narmada Control Authority : Homepage |publisher=Nca.gov.in |access-date=2014-03-03}}</ref>

== Early background and dispute ==
{{more citations needed section|date=October 2015}}
Investigations for harnessing the Narmada waters started around the time of independence, when Central Waterways, Irrigation and Navigation Commission (CWINC) identified several storage schemes and in 1948 the Khosla Committee prioritised the proposals and named Tawa, Bargi, Punasa and Bharuch projects (the last three on the main stem of the river) for preparation of reports.<ref>''Winning the Future'' by B.G. Varghese. (1994). {{ISBN|81-220-0357-5}}</ref> The reports were ready by 1963. A parallel study of hydropower potential identified 16 sites with a potential of 1300 MW. While the project in Gujarat, the Baruch Weir project (for which [[Jawaharlal Nehru]] laid the foundation stone in 1961) went through a series of modifications and improvements with a reformed scheme at Navagam village to extend benefits up to the [[Rann of Kutch]], following the bifurcation of the erstwhile [[Bombay state]] into Maharashtra and Gujarat states and Gujarat's intent to raise the height of the dam at Navagam to maximise storage benefits at the cost of submergence of potential hydropower sites in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, there was a dispute between the states. It resulted in an impasse in the implementation of the agreed projects at Navagam in Gujarat, Punasa in Madhya Pradesh and Bargi Dam in Madhya Pradesh and power benefit sharing among the states; with Madhya Pradesh refusing to ratify the agreements. To break the logjam, a high level Committee was appointed by the [[Government of India]] (GOI) in September 1964. In 1965, the Committee prepared a Master Plan for the basin, which involved construction of 12 major projects in MP and the Navagam Dam in Gujarat. It provided priority to [[irrigation]] over power; irrigation of {{convert|2630|km2|sqmi}} in MP, {{convert|400|km2|sqmi}} in Maharashtra, {{convert|460|km2|sqmi}} in Gujarat and {{convert|4000|km2|sqmi}} in [[Rajasthan]]. The storages it recommended in MP involved Bargi, Tawa and Narmadasagar (Punasa) while its proposed Navagam high dam would submerge the hydelpower project sites of Jalasindhi (in Maharashtra) and Harinphal (MP) but without any more submergence than would be caused by the three dams if separately constructed. Gujarat endorsed the proposal, but Maharashtra was not willing to go by it. After intense parleys failed to resolve the problem, the GOI decided to set up the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal (NWDT) in 1969 under the [[Interstate River Water Disputes Act]] 1956 to adjudicate on the dispute relating to sharing of water of the interstate Narmada and its valley.

'''Tribunal award'''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sscac.gov.in/NWDT.pdf |title=Final Order and Decision of the Tribunal |publisher=Sscac.gov.in |access-date=2014-03-03 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304065701/http://www.sscac.gov.in/NWDT.pdf |archive-date=4 March 2009 }}</ref>

After ten years of deliberations, the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal (NWDT) gave its award in December 1979. The NWDT, considering the development of the water resources of the basin as a whole, gave its award, allocating share of water and Hydro Power of the Sardar Sarovar Project.

The Tribunal's final order determined the utilisable quantum of Narmada waters to be {{convert|27000000|acre.ft|km3}} at 75% dependability and allocated it to the four states, as in Table below, including share of power benefits. It also stipulated the share of water when utilisable flow was in excess of {{convert|28000000|acre.ft|km3}}. The Navagam dam height was fixed at full reservoir level (FRL) {{convert|460|ft|m}} with a maximum water level of EL feet. The Full Supply Level of the Navagam canal was fixed at {{convert|300|ft|m}}. The costsharing formula among the states and the consequent requirement of release of regulated releases from the Narmada Sagar dam by MP was also spelt out. The resettlement and rehabilitation package was also clearly specified with all costs to be borne by Gujarat for all resettlement and rehabilitation work of people affected in the three states and also for relocating any ancient or historic monuments, places of worship or idols likely to suffer submergence.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Party States
! Allocated share of water
! % share of power
|-
| Madhya Pradesh
| {{convert|18250000|acre.ft|km3}}
| 57
|-
| Gujarat
| {{convert|9000000|acre.ft|km3}}
| 16
|-
| Maharashtra
| {{convert|250000|acre.ft|km3}}
| 27
|-
|Rajasthan
| {{convert|500000|acre.ft|km3}}
| Nil
|-
|Total
| {{convert|28000000|acre.ft|km3}}
| 100
|}

The uniqueness of this Award{{Original research inline|date=October 2015}} is that a non-riparian state – Rajasthan – has been allocated a share of Narmada waters, for meeting the water requirements of the drought prone districts of [[Barmer district|Barmer]] and [[Jalore district|Jalore]], which have no other source of dependable water. The work on the project did not start soon since extensive studies were undertaken for project designing and with [[World Bank]] getting involved with funding studies and project costs (Loan agreement with GOI of $450 million was signed in May 1985), the Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) package was substantially revised, over and above what was set in the NWDT, and environmental studies had to be undertaken, but the environmental and forest clearances for the projects from the newly formed [[Ministry of Environment and Forests]] (MoE&F) involved extensive interministerial and inter departmental discussions (within the central govt and with state governments) for a substantial period and it was only in June 1987 (almost 8 years after the NWDT award was given in December 1979) that the MoE&F gave a conditional approval to the Sardar Sarovar and Narmada Sagar Projects. The forest clearance was given in September 1987 for Sardar Sarovar only. The clearance also required the work to be done ''pari passu'' with the construction of the dams and the filling of the reservoir. In the meantime, the Narmada Control Authority (NCA), an inter-State Administrative Authority and the Sardar Sarovar Construction Advisory Committee (SSCAC) were set up in 1980 by the Govt. of India in compliance of the NWDT award; the former organisation was set up in December 1980 as body corporate with representatives from the four party states and India, as a machinery to implement the decisions and directions of the NWDT and the later organisation was set up in Sept. 1980 as a statutory body to ensure efficient, economical and timely execution of the Unit I (dam and appurtenant works) and Unit III (hydropower works) of the [[Sardar Sarovar Project]] (SSP). A Review Committee consisting of the Union Minister for Irrigation (now substituted by Union Minister for Water Resources) as its Chairperson and the Chief Ministers of Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan as its members is also in position to review the decisions of the NCA and the SSCAC, as required. For monitoring and implementation of various environmental activities effectively, independent machinery of the Environment Sub-Group is functioning since Nov.1987 under NCA. Similarly, for monitoring the progress of the resettlement and rehabilitation of project affected people, R&R subgroup is also functioning under the NCA. At the state level, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNL) in Gujarat has the mandate to implement and manage the Sardar Sarovar multipurpose project. In Madhya Pradesh, the [[Narmada Valley Development Authority]] (NVDA) is vested the responsibility for implementation of the projects.

The overall plan for development ultimately conceived involves 30 major dams including Sardar Sarovar (21 irrigation, 5 hydropower, and 4 multipurpose), some 135 medium dams, and over three minor dams in M.P along the main stem of the river and its 41 tributaries to utilise its allocated share of {{convert|18250000|acre.ft|km3}} before 2025 (within 45 years of the NWDT award). In addition to power generation and irrigation within the basin, water was allocated for domestic and industrial water uses and for multipurpose transbasin diversions to [[Son River]] and [[Tons River]] basins in eastern MP, drought prone areas of [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]], [[Kutch]], northern mainland in Gujarat, and southern Rajasthan. Irrigation benefits to the extent of about {{convert|40000|km2|sqmi}} to {{convert|50000|km2|sqmi}} (of drought prone and scarcity areas) and power generation of 2,600 MW were also envisaged. Thus, the Narmada River development is envisaged as a multi state program for development of hydropower and irrigation dams and their associated irrigation networks. In 1961, the original project envisaged irrigation of almost {{convert|2|e6acre|km2}} in West India at a cost of $100 million. By 2011, it had escalated to $3 billion.

[[File:Location Plan of projects in Narmada basin.jpg|thumb|Layout of Water Resources Development Projects in the Narmada Basin in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh]]
Even though the tribunal award resolved the initial issue of water sharing, but the height of dam, benefit sharing and the mode of settlement of affected people caused serious difficulties in implementation, particularly of the Sardar Sarovar dam (the terminal dam on the river). Affected people agitated under the banner of the dedicated NGO, The [[Narmada Bachao Andolan]] (NBA). The NBA followed up by [[Public Interest Litigation]] (PIL) in the [[Supreme Court of India]]. The NBA questioned the benefits claimed from the major projects, challenged the resettlement and rehabilitation packages for project affected people of the reservoir submergence and canal affected zones and its implementation. It also rejected the environmental impact assessments made and the remedial actions taken by the project authorities. The challenge created worldwide attention to the major development activity planned in the valley. It urged the World Bank to withdraw from the project and the intense worldwide pressure resulted in the Bank mounting an Independent Review Mission (IRM) called the Morse Mission to review the SSP. However, the IRM's report was neither accepted by the [[Government of India]] or the [[World Bank]]. Finally Government of India decided to terminate further drawing from a remaining $180 million World Bank credit from the Bank with the firm resolution that the project would be completed within the national resources.

The Supreme Court has also deliberated on this issue for several years but finally upheld the Tribunal Award and allowed the construction to proceed, subject to conditions. The Court introduced a mechanism to monitor the progress of resettlement ''pari passu'' with the raising of the height of the dam through '''Grievance Redressal Authorities''' (GRA) in each of the party states. The court's decision referred in this document, given in the year 2000, after 7 years of deliberations, has paved the way for completing the project to attain full envisaged benefits.<ref>[http://judis.nic.in/supremecourt/qrydisp.asp?tfnm=17165] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603033602/http://judis.nic.in/supremecourt/qrydisp.asp?tfnm=17165|date=3 June 2008}}</ref>

The Supreme Court judgement was by two of a three judge panel. The third judge, SP Bharucha, dissented with the two other judges' verdict<ref>[http://www.cscsarchive.org/MediaArchive/medialaw.nsf/(docid)/6375077F478D5FA5E5256BD40013C846]{{dead link|date=March 2013}}</ref>

=== Indirasagar Dam ===
{{Main|Indirasagar Dam}}
[[File:Indira sagar dam 0003.jpg|thumb|[[Indirasagar Dam]] partially completed in 2008]]
The Indira Sagar Project (ISP) at Punasa is one of the 30 major projects proposed in the Narmada basin with the largest storage capacity in the country. The project is located near Punasa village, in Khandwa District, Madhya Pradesh. This Multipurpose River Valley Project envisages construction of a concrete gravity dam, {{convert|653|m|ft}} long and {{convert|92|m|ft}} high with gross storage capacity of the reservoir of {{convert|12.22|km3|acre.ft|abbr=on}} and live storage of {{convert|9.75|km3|acre.ft|abbr=on}} to provide an annual irrigation potential of {{cvt|1,690|km2}} and a generation of 1000 MW of hydropower. The project also ensures supply of {{convert|60000|acre.ft|m3|abbr=on}} of drinking water to rural areas in Khandwa district. In accordance with NWDT award, an annual regulated flow of {{convert|8120000|acre.ft|km3|abbr=on}} shall be released to the Sardar Sarovar Project (SSP), ex-Maheshwar Project. The operation of Indira Sagar Project will be carried out in such a way as to facilitate the regulation of Sardar Sarovar.

The dam and the powerhouse have been completed, but storage has been restricted up to EL 260 m under orders of the High Court, Jabalpur from R&R consideration. All the units of the powerhouse have been commissioned and generation of power from the eight units of 125 MW capacity, each commenced from Jan 2004.<ref>[http://nca.gov.in/forms_pdf/isp_report.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303175627/http://nca.gov.in/forms_pdf/isp_report.pdf|date=3 March 2014}}</ref> The irrigation component of the project is under a fairly advance stage of implementation.

== See also ==
* [[List of rivers of India]]
* {{annotated link|Narmada Pushkaram}}
* {{annotated link|Afroz Ahmad}}
* {{annotated link|3rd Narmada Bridge}}
* [[Bhadbhut barrage]]
* [https://statueofunityguide.in/all-tours/tent-city-narmada/ Tent City Narmada]

== Bibliography ==
*Srivastava Pankaj (2007). ''Jungle Rahe taki Narmada Bahe''. (Hindi). Narmada Conservation Initiative, Indore. 
* Weir, Shelagh. ''The Gonds of central India: The Material Culture of the Gonds of Chhindwara District, Madhya Pradesh''. London: British Museum, 1973
* {{cite book |author=Geoffrey Waring Maw |title=Narmada, the life of a river |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AUpuAAAAMAAJ|year=1991 |publisher=[[Marjorie Sykes]]}}
* {{cite book|author1=Yoginder K. Alagh|author2=Mahesh T. Pathak|author3=D. T. Buch|title=Narmada and Environment: An Assessment|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3psrAAAAYAAJ|year=1995|publisher=Har-Anand Publications}}
* {{cite book|author=K. Sankaran Unni|title=Ecology of River Narmada|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=00jcLwUPhrwC&pg=PA7|year=1996|publisher=APH Publishing|isbn=978-81-7024-765-4}}
* {{cite book |title=Water close over us: A journey along the Narmada |author= Singh Bal Hartosh|publisher=HarperCollins India|year=2013|isbn=978-9350297056 }}

== References ==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== Further reading ==
* Narmada Waters Dispute Tribunal Award (NWDTA)
* Reports of Irrigation Commission, 1972.
* ''[[A River Sutra]]'', by [[Gita Mehta]]. Vintage Books, 1994. {{ISBN|0-679-75247-1}}.
* Sharma, BhashaShukla.―Anthropomorphism of River Narmada: A cultural study of
A River Sutra. ―The Criterion: An International Journal in English 3.3 (Sep 2012). Web.

*Sharma, Bhasha Shukla. ―Mapping culture through ‗A River Sutra‘: Tribal Myths,
Dialogism, and Meta-narratives in postcolonial Fiction.‖ Universal Journal of educational and general studies. 1.2. (February 2012)

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.narmada.org/ Narmada.org]
* [http://www.maanarmada.org/ Maanarmada.org]
* [http://sabkipaatshala.com/indias-largest-and-smallest/]
{{Hydrography of Madhya Pradesh}}
{{Hydrography of Maharashtra}}
{{Narmada basin}}
{{Hydrography of Gujarat}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Narmada River| ]]
[[Category:Gulf of Khambhat]]
[[Category:Aulacogens]]
[[Category:Inter-state disputes in India]]
[[Category:Rivers of Madhya Pradesh]]
[[Category:Rivers of Maharashtra]]
[[Category:Rivers of Gujarat]]
[[Category:Rivers of India]]
[[Category:Rivers in Buddhism]]

Bharatpedia - User contributions [en]

Narmada River