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Question

Which one of the following tributaries of river Indus feeds the canal system of the Bhakra Nangal Project?

This question was previously asked in
CDS II 2021 General Knowledge Previous Year Paper (14-Nov-2021)
The correct answer is

Satluj

Understanding the Bhakra Nangal Project and River Systems

The question asks us to identify which tributary of the mighty Indus River provides water for the extensive canal system associated with the Bhakra Nangal Project. This project is a major multipurpose river valley development scheme in India.

The Bhakra Nangal Project is built on a specific river to generate hydroelectricity and provide irrigation water through a network of canals. Understanding which river feeds the main dam is crucial to answering this question.

Identifying the River Feeding Bhakra Nangal Project

The Bhakra Dam, which is the primary component of the Bhakra Nangal Project, is constructed across a major river. This river's water is impounded to form the Gobind Sagar reservoir and then released for power generation and diverted into canals for irrigation.

Let's look at the options provided, which are all tributaries of the Indus River:

  • Chenab
  • Satluj
  • Ravi
  • Jhelum

These rivers are part of the Indus river system, which flows through India and Pakistan.

Analyzing the Options

The Bhakra Dam is specifically built on the Satluj River. The Satluj is the longest of the five rivers that flow through the historic crossroads region of Punjab in northern India and Pakistan. It is a major tributary of the Indus River system.

  • The Chenab River is another significant tributary of the Indus, but the Bhakra Nangal Project is not located on it.
  • The Ravi River is also a tributary of the Indus, flowing through the Punjab region, but it is not the source for the Bhakra Nangal canal system.
  • The Jhelum River is the westernmost river of the five rivers of Punjab and is a tributary of the Chenab, eventually joining the Indus, but it is not linked to the Bhakra project.

Therefore, the river that feeds the canal system of the Bhakra Nangal Project is the Satluj River, as the dam that controls the water flow for this system is built upon it.

Indus Tributaries and Bhakra Nangal Project Link
Indus Tributary Link to Bhakra Nangal Project
Chenab No direct link to Bhakra Dam/Project
Satluj Feeds the Bhakra Dam and its canal system
Ravi No direct link to Bhakra Dam/Project
Jhelum No direct link to Bhakra Dam/Project

The water stored in the Gobind Sagar reservoir, formed by the Bhakra Dam on the Satluj River, is diverted into various canals, including the Bhakra Main Line, which irrigates vast areas in Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.

Revision Table: Bhakra Nangal Key Facts

Bhakra Nangal Project Summary
Feature Detail
Project Type Multipurpose River Valley Project
Key Structure Bhakra Dam (concrete gravity dam)
River Satluj River
Purpose Hydroelectric Power Generation, Irrigation
Fed by Satluj River flow
Feeds Canal System (e.g., Bhakra Main Line) for irrigation

Additional Information: Indus River System

The Indus River System is one of the largest river systems in the world. It originates in the Tibetan Plateau and flows through India and Pakistan, draining into the Arabian Sea. Its major tributaries are:

  • Jhelum
  • Chenab
  • Ravi
  • Beas
  • Satluj

The Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan governs the use of the waters of this river system. The treaty allocated the waters of the three eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, and Satluj) primarily for India's use, while the waters of the three western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab) were primarily allocated for Pakistan's use, with certain provisions for India.

The Satluj River, being an eastern river under the Indus Water Treaty, is extensively utilized by India for projects like the Bhakra Nangal Project, which focuses on irrigation and power generation in the region.

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