The Times Of India, Aug 12 2016, Bharuch: The Sardar Sarovar Dam continued to overflow at 125.61 metre on Thursday, 3.69 metres higher than its rule level of 121.92 metre. Narmada river near Bharuch city too crossed the 20 feet-mark, just two feet below danger level. The overflowing dam has been a major tourist attraction with over 54,000 people visiting the dam site since August 7.

The heavy flow of sweet water from the dam has come as a relief as it reduced salinity that had seeped into the river bed. In the last six months during high tide, sea water entered up to 40 km inside of the river contaminated sweet water sources. There were massive agitation by the citizen body and the industrial units with a demand to discharge more water from the dam to maintain the eco-system in downstream areas of Narmada.

R N Kanungo, superintendent engineer, Sardar Sarovar said, “In the past 48 hours there was no rainfall in catchment area of Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh hence water inflow has reduced from 2.55 lakh cusecs to 1.17 lakh cusecs. The water level at dam may reduce by two centimetres every hour from Friday evening. However, dam overflow will continue for another five days.” As many as 54,000 tourist have visited in the dam in last six days. To attract more tourists, Gujarat Tourism department launched the Kevadia Monsoon Festival which will continue till September 5.
Rajesh Shah, one of the tourists, said, “Our family comes here every year. This time, we visited Narmada Darshan Model Room, Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Interpretation Centre, Statue of Unity site and other view points.” “Apart from Sardar Sarovar dam we have added eco-tourism spots like Zarwani waterfall, Vishal Khadi, Ninai waterfall and dense forest of Malsamot to our itinerary,” said Ahmedabad-based industrialist Ankur Kapadia.
Web: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/Overflowing-Narmada-dam-attracts-54000-tourists/articleshow/53667183.cms
 

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