Bhopal, Sep 14 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh High Court's decision to increase the water level of the Indira Sagar reservoir to its maximum limit would facilitate the generation of 500 million units of electricity in peak season, said officials.
Till the court decision last week, the level at Indira Sagar, one of the dams that comprise the Narmada Sagar project, was being maintained at 255 metres. The government wanted to raise it to the maximum limit of 262.13 metres after obtaining clearance from the court.
All the 12 gates of the Indira Sagar dam have been closed since Sep 9 in view of high court's latest decision, said I.C. Jain of the Narmada Valley Development Authority.
"This will generate as much as 500 million power units during summer," he claimed, adding that the state had been purchasing power from other states at the rate of Rs.4 to Rs.5.50 to meet peak season demand.
Indira Sagar dam was completed in 2004. The reservoir is the largest in the country with an area of 913.48 sq km and a power potential of 1,000 MW.