PONG DAM (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: Over 25,000 people displaced by the Pong dam on the Beas river in Himachal Pradesh have been waiting to be relocated for over five decades. Many of them were surviving by farming around the dam region.

Pong Dam

• About: The Pong Dam, also referred to as the Beas Dam, is situated on the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh, serving as an earth-fill embankment dam.
• Purpose: The primary objectives of the dam include water storage for irrigation and the generation of hydroelectric power.
• Formation of Maharana Pratap Sagar: As a result of elevated water levels, an artificial lake named Maharana Pratap Sagar was formed, paying homage to the notable ruler of Mewar.
• Features

oHeight and Length: The Pong Dam stands at a height of 133 meters and stretches 1,951 meters in length, showcasing its earth-fill embankment design.

oCrest Width: At its crest, the dam measures 13.72 meters in width, positioned at an elevation of approximately 435.86 meters above sea level.

oBase Dimensions: The dam's base spans a width of about 610 meters, encapsulating a total volume of 35,500,000 cubic meters.

Beas River

• About: The Beas River, located in north India, originates at an elevation of 4,361 meters on the southern slope of Rohtang Pass in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh.
• Course of the River: Extending over a distance of approximately 470 kilometers, the Beas River flows southward until it meets the Sutlej River in the Indian state of Punjab.
• Historical Names: Arjikuja in the Vedas, Vipasa in ancient Indian texts, and Hyphasis in Ancient Greek records.
• Tributaries: Bain, Banganga, Luni, Uhlal, Awa, Banner, Chakki, Gaj, Harla, Mamuni, Parvati, Patlikuhlal, Sainj, Suketi, and Tirthan.