Mahisagar River
Mahi River (Mahisagar)
- The recent collapse of the Mujpur-Gambhira bridge over Gujarat’s Mahisagar (Mahi) river has once again exposed the alarming fragility of public infrastructure of India.
Origin & Course:
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Originates in Minda village, Dhar district, Madhya Pradesh, in the Vindhya Range.
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Flows through Madhya Pradesh, Vagad region of Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
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Empties into the Gulf of Khambhat (Arabian Sea) near Kathana, Anand district, Gujarat.
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Length: ~580 km.
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Uniquely, it crosses the Tropic of Cancer twice.
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One of the few west-flowing rivers in Peninsular India (along with Narmada, Tapi, Sabarmati).
Major Tributaries :
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Right Bank: Som River
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Left Bank: Anas River, Panam River
Historical & Cultural Significance:
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Known in ancient Greek records as "Mais".
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Revered as "Mahisagar" due to its religious and cultural importance.
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The Mahisagar district in Gujarat is named after the river.
Dams on the Mahi River:
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Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam (Rajasthan):
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Located near Banswara.
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Constructed (1972–1983) for hydropower and water supply.
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Second-largest dam in Rajasthan.
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Capacity: 140 MW.
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Region known as "City of Hundred Islands" due to island formation in the reservoir.
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Kadana Dam (Gujarat):
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Built in 1979, in Mahisagar district.
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Provides irrigation, flood control, and hydropower.
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Wanakbori Weir:
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Supplies water to the Wanakbori Thermal Power Station.
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Environmental Concerns:
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River facing extinction threats due to salinity and pollution.
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Construction of bunds by Vadodara Municipal Corporation halted surface flow.
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Resulted in seawater intrusion and groundwater salinization.
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In 2016, 600–800 turtles died due to increased salinity.