Shimla, May 20: The Hon’ble Governor of Himachal Pradesh, Kavinder Gupta today visited the iconic Bhakra Dam — one of the largest gravity dams in Asia and a landmark achievement of independent India’s engineering heritage — located on the Sutlej River in Bilaspur district.
The Chief Engineer briefed the Governor on the dam’s operational status, water storage levels, power generation capacity, and the ongoing maintenance works being undertaken to ensure the dam’s structural integrity and optimal performance. He apprised the Governor of the dam’s critical role in meeting the irrigation and drinking water requirements of several states as well as its significant contribution to the region’s hydroelectric power generation.
The Governor undertook an extensive visit inside the dam, inspecting the turbines and power stations housed within its massive structure.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Gupta said that Bhakra Dam stands as a living testament to the vision and resolve of the architects of modern India. He said that the dam continues to serve as the lifeline of millions of people across Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh — providing water for irrigation, drinking, and power generation that sustains entire agricultural and industrial ecosystems.
The Governor also underscored the importance of water conservation and responsible management of this precious natural resource, particularly in the context of the ongoing global energy crisis and the need for greater energy self-reliance. He appreciated the role of the Bhakra Management Board’s technical team in maintaining one of India’s most strategically important infrastructure assets with professionalism and commitment.
Governor Gupta expressed confidence that with continued investment in modernisation and maintenance, Bhakra Dam will continue to serve the nation’s needs for generations to come. Senior officials of the Bhakra Management Board and Raj Bhavan accompanied the Governor during the visit.
