About Gosikhurd Dam
Gosikhurd Dam, also known as Indira Sagar Dam, is a large earthen dam on the Wainganga River near Pauni in Bhandara district, Maharashtra. Completed in 2008 and fully filled by 2022, it serves irrigation, hydropower, and drinking water purposes for the Vidarbha region. The dam features 33 radial spillway gates and creates the Indirasagar Reservoir with a surface area of over 222 sq km. It is recognized as a significant engineering project in eastern Maharashtra.
Visitors guide
Visitors can view the extensive earthen dam structure and its 33 spillway gates along the Wainganga River. The site offers views of the large Indirasagar Reservoir, though water hyacinth coverage may vary seasonally. Accessible steps lead toward the reservoir area, but facilities are limited with no public toilets available nearby. The location is primarily an operational irrigation project rather than a developed tourist attraction, suitable for photography and observing civil engineering infrastructure.
Key highlights
- 01
Large earthen dam spanning 11.35 km across the Wainganga River
- 02
Features 33 radial spillway gates each 18.30 m wide and 16.50 m high
- 03
Creates Indirasagar Reservoir with 222.56 sq km surface area
- 04
Foundation laid by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1984
- 05
Major irrigation project serving Nagpur, Bhandara, and Chandrapur districts
- 06
Reservoir reached full capacity for the first time in January 2022
History of Gosikhurd Dam
The foundation stone for Gosikhurd Dam was laid by former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 23, 1984. Construction began in 1988 but faced prolonged delays due to rehabilitation issues affecting 249 villages. The dam was structurally completed in 2008, but the reservoir could not be filled to full capacity until January 2022. It represents one of the major multipurpose irrigation projects in the Godavari basin in eastern Vidarbha.
Route
| By air | Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport, Nagpur |
|---|