The dam's reservoir, Gobind Sagar, is named in honor of Guru Gobind Singh.
It is the second highest dam in India, surpassed only by the Tehri Dam.
The base of the dam measures approximately 190 meters in width.
It functions as a major seismic monitoring station for the Himalayan region.
The project displaced several hundred villages during its creation in the mid-20th century.
The dam's concrete volume is sufficient to build a road around the Earth at the equator.
It remains a central element of the Bhakra Beas Management Board's operational infrastructure.
Bhakra Dam is a gravity dam on the Sutlej River located in the Shivalik foothills. It is one of the tallest dams in the world, standing at 226 meters. The concrete dam forms the Gobind Sagar reservoir, which holds approximately 9.34 billion cubic meters of water. Construction concluded in 1963 as a key component of India's post-independence multipurpose river valley projects. It serves primarily for hydroelectric power generation and irrigation support for Punjab and Haryana. The structure features a large spillway designed to manage overflow during monsoon seasons. The dam site is a restricted area due to its strategic importance as a national infrastructure asset. Visitors are typically permitted to view the site from designated observation points under security surveillance.
Designated observation decks overlooking the reservoir and the dam wall face.
Carry a valid government-issued photo ID at all times for security checkpoints.
Check with local authorities regarding restricted zones, as access fluctuates based on security protocols.
Visit during the monsoon season to witness the overflow of the spillways.
Do not attempt to enter non-public service tunnels or restricted power generation zones.
Access may be restricted during periods of high national security alert or adverse weather conditions.
Strict photography bans are enforced in specific restricted areas; follow security instructions regarding cameras.
