History, Importance, Timings, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Sardar Sarovar Dam, Kevadia, Narmada, Gujarat, India
The Sardar Sarovar Dam also named as short form SSD, located near small town Kevadia of Narmada district of Gujarat, India is third highest concrete dam of India after Bhakra in Himachal Pradesh and Lakhwar in Uttar Pradesh. Sardar Sarovar project is one of the biggest water resource and energy project of India which cover four state, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. In terms of the volume of concrete used for gravity dams, this dam will be ranking as the second largest in the world after Grand Coulee Dam of USA. The Sardar Sarovar Dam is surrounded by lush green forest, mountains and natural beauty which attracts millions of tourist throughout the year. Statue of Unity – world’s tallest statue built in honour of Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patels is located in front of Sardar Sarovar Dam. The other attraction here is various theme based project, Valley of Flower, Boating, River Drafting, Trekking etc.
The Sardar Sarovar project was conceived by the Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in 1946-1947 where plan was to construction of 30 major dams, 135 medium and 3,000 smaller dams along the river Narmada, and Sardar Sarovar Dam will be largest of them all. Thus, this Dam is named after Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The hugeness of project can be defined as around 75% of the Gujarat population will get water from here. The 66,000km network of conveyance and distribution system includes the Narmada Main Canal also called NMC about 2,500km of branch canals, 5,500km of distributaries and other associated channels. More than 500 km long, 1,133 cubic metres a second capacity NMC in Gujarat is the largest irrigation lined canal in the world. The entire project faces lots of criticism and disputes between states during various period but due to guts and needs of states, it is completed in several phases. To overcome this, Narmada Water Dispute Tribunal was formed in to resolve the issues and allocate the water shares between four states.
There are two powerhouses constructed over the dam site to generate energy, the river bed powerhouse and the canal head powerhouse. These both powerhouses generate huge amount of electricity which then distributed to all four involved state, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
You can visit Sardar Sarovar Dam, throughout the year but the best time to visit here is during the October and November, the starting point of winter and during the monsoon when the Sardar Sarovar Dam overflows in all its magnanimity which makes super experience here.
Apart from this you can also plan to visit Zarwani Waterfall, Ninai waterfall, Kabirvad, Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajavant Palace, Poicha Swaminarayana Mandir, Chanod Triveni Sangam, Garudeshwar – Dattatreya Tirth Kshetra, Rajpipla, Bharuch, Vadodara etc.
How to reach Sardar Sarovar Dam, Statue of Unity, Kevadia, Narmada, Gujarat, India
As Kevadia is now holds high significance across the world for its world’s tallest statue of Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Statue of Unity, thus very well connected to all major cities of India via Air, Road and Rail Network. You can reach to Kevadia via Vadodara which is major junction lies on Mumbai Delhi Western mainline. Also Vadodara airport is nearest airline from Kevadia at 90 km from where you can get flight to all major cities of India. Also Kevadia has now newly built railway station which is India’s first railway station with green certificate. Now Indian railway has planned several trains from major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Varanasi, Ahmedabad etc. to reach Kevadia directly which helps in increase footfall of tourist. Kevadia has major bus stop and newly built highway which gives high level comfort to tourist. You can also get autos from Kevadia to Statue of Unity and Sardar Sarovar Dam.
Apart from Vadodara you can also easily visit the Statue of Unity from Ahmedabad or Surat, with both cities having railway stations, airports, and being within 2-4 hours driving distance from the Statue of Unity. Also there are lots of private bus service provider operate bus to Kevadia along with day package from Surat, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara etc. Also, you can hire private cab from Ahmedabad, Surat or Vadodara to reach Kevadia.
Kevadia is located at 25 km from the Rajpipla, 90 km from Vadodara, 150 km from Surat, and 200 km from Ahmedabad, 40 km from Poicha, 50 km from Chandod, 52 km from Dabhoi, 10 km from Garudeshwar.
