Radhanagari Dam Explained

Radhanagari Dam
Name Official:	Radhanagari Dam D01033
Dam Crosses:	Bhogawati river
Dam Type:	Gravity
Dam Length:	1143m (3,750feet)
Dam Height:	42.68m (140.03feet)
Opening:	1954^[1] 1st Stage 1909-19182nd Stage 1939-1954
Owner:	Government of Maharashtra, India
Res Capacity Total:	220000000m^2
Res Surface:	18218km2
Location Map:	Maharashtra
Coordinates:	16.4061°N 73.96°W

Radhanagari Dam, is a gravity dam on Bhogawati river near Radhanagari in the state of Maharashtra in India. Construction was initiated by visionary Rajarshi Shahu on 18 February 1907.^[2] The dam is being used for irrigation as well as hydro-electricity. The dam is located amidst scenic surrounding in the backdrop of thick forest cover.^[3]

• The scheme was suggested by Pandurangrrao Krishnajirao Shinde, Esqr, BA, I.S.E ref to Report of Examination, by Sir Henry Howard, O.I.E, M.C., M Inst.C.E., M. I. E.E.. Considering the suggested advantage towards increasing irrigated land up to 15000 hectares and satisfying Kolhapur municipal water requirement, the share capital raised was paid back to concerned share holders who had planned for thermo-electric (by letting all water into Konkan for electricity generation) and mining project.
• Because of Mr Shinde's suggestion, the scheme was handed over to government in interest of people, after the capital invested was realised. (Ref report by Henry Howard)
• Scheme was approved by Rajaram Maharaj or else would have been a thermal electric project, in favour of British industrial syndicate as suggested in the Second opinion of Sir Vishveswarayya.
• In 1941 PK Shinde was Specially appointed as Chief Engineer due to his technical competency and experience.
• Today Radhanagari Dam is the main reason for flourishing agriculture, and jaggery industry in Kolhapur District. The water need of Municipal Corporation of Kolhapur is satisfied through this dam.

Radhanagari Dam supports large variety of Flora and Fauna. It is surrounded by dense forest and has wide variety of wildlife and naturally evolved ecosystem. It was because of Mr P K Shinde's efforts that thermo-electric project and mining for metals was sidelined.Radhanagari Dam not only has a technology worth studying but also a history, that changed the fate of agriculture in Kolhapur.

Specifications

This dam is famous for its automatically operated 7 gates, which doesn't require any electrical or mechanical power to operate it. Till now this technology is not in any of the dam in India, except this dam. Other than this 7 automated gates, there are five manually operated gates in this dam.^[4] The height of the dam above lowest foundation is 42.68m (140.03feet) while the length is 1143m (3,750feet). The gross storage capacity is 236810000m².^[5]

Purpose

• Irrigation
• Kolhapur cities water need
• Hydroelectricity

See also

• Dams in Maharashtra
• List of reservoirs and dams in India

Notes and References

1. Web site: Radhanagari D01033 . March 1, 2013.
2. http://reporter.kolhapurworld.com/radhanagari_dam_100_years.html Vision Completes 100 years
3. Web site: Radhanagari situated in hilly area,Radhanagari Tourism . 2011-12-11 . 2012-04-26 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120426043447/http://radhanagaricollege.com/Tourism.html . dead .
4. Web site: Radhanagari Dam . 2023-01-05 . en.
5. Web site: Specifications of large dams in India . 2010-10-22 . 2011-07-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110721165130/http://www.cwc.nic.in/main/downloads/National%20Register%20of%20Large%20Dams%202009.pdf . dead .