Kaushalya Dam

The Kaushalya Dam (Hindi: कौशल्या बांध) is an earth-fill embankment dam on the Kaushalya river, which is a tributary of Ghaggar-Hakra River[1] (modern remnant of ancient Sarasvati river), in Pinjore of Haryana state, India. It was constructed between 2008 and 2012 with the primary purpose of water supply.[2]

Kaushalya Dam
Kaushalya Dam
Location of Kaushalya Dam in India
Official name	Kaushalya Dam
Country	India
Location	Pinjore, Haryana
Coordinates	30°46′30″N 76°54′50″E
Status	Operational
Construction began	2008
Opening date	2012
Dam and spillways
Type of dam	Embankment, earth-fill
Impounds	Kaushalya River
Height	34 m (112 ft)
Length	700 m (2,300 ft)

Location

Kaushalya barrage and resulting upstream dam on Kaushalya river are located 21 km from Chandigarh,[3] 12 km from Panchkula city and Khol Hi-Raitan Wildlife Sanctuary near Panchkula,[4] 5 km from Pinjore city,[5] and 13 km from Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary near Pinjore.

History

The first plan, which never materialised, for a dam on Ghaggar river was first proposed by the British raj in the mid 19th century to provide drinking water to Ambala Cantonment.[6]

The proposal was revisited only in the 1960s to construct a dam on Ghaggar river at Gumthala near Chandimandir to provide water to Chandigarh and control floods in Punjab, India, this plan was abandoned in 1999 as it would have submerged over 4,000 acres (1,600 ha) of land resulting in relocation of a large number of people.[2]

In 2005, the revised plan to build series of smaller dams on the tributaries of Ghaggar river was approved by the Government of Haryana and the construction of the Kaushalya dam commenced in 2008 which was completed in 2012.[2][6]

Construction and cost

Kaushalya dam, built by the Government of Haryana, is a 700 meters (2,300 ft) long and 34 meters (112 ft) high earth-filled dam.[6] The project was approved in December 2005 by the Haryana Government at the cost of Rs 51.37 crore .[7]

Purpose

The Government of Haryana built this dam for providing 40 cusecs or 25 MGD (million gallons per day) of raw water to Panchkula city,[6] recharge ground water, check flash floods, promote tourism and fisheries in reservoir area.

Wildlife

It is an important wetland that is home of many endangered migratory birds.[8]

Gallery

• 
  Kaushalya dam
• 
  View of Kaushalya dam, from Kasauli
• 
  Flock of Cormorants, Kaushalaya dam, Haryana, India
• 
  Migratory birds at Kaushalya dam, near Pinjor, Haryana, India(Dec. 2015)
• 
  Migratory birds at Kaushalya dam, near Pinjor, Panchkula, Haryana, India(Dec. 2015)
• 
  Migratory birds at Kaushalya dam, Pinjor, Haryana, India(Dec. 2015)
• 
  Migratory birds at Kaushalya dam, Haryana, India(Dec. 2015)
• 
  June 2015

See also

• Gurugram Bhim Kund (Hindi: गुरुग्राम भीम कुंड), also known as Pinchokhda Jhod (Hindi: पिंचोखड़ा जोहड़)
• Blue Bird Lake, Hisar (city)
• Bhakra Dam
• Hathni Kund Barrage
• Tajewala Barrage
• Okhla Barrage
• Surajkund
• List of dams and reservoirs in Haryana
• List of National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries of Haryana, India

References

1. Kaushaly river location
2. "Kaushalya Dam". Hills of Morni. 13 December 2012. Retrieved 14 June 2014.
3. Directions from Kaushalya dam to Chandigarh
4. Directions from Kaushalya dam to Panchkula
5. [ Directions from Kaushalya dam to Pinjore]
6. Hillsofmorni.com - Kaushalya dam
7. http://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/cag-raises-questions-pours-cold-water-on-kaushalya-dam/
8. Times Of India (22 December 2014). "Crows drop dead". Retrieved 26 March 2016.