Sardar Sarovar Dam hits full 138.68m level for seventh time since 2017
Synopsis
For the seventh time since its 2017 dedication, the Sardar Sarovar Dam has hit its full 138.68-metre capacity — a milestone that secures drinking water for over four crore Gujaratis across more than 10,000 villages heading into summer. With the state holding 7.9 MAF against a 9 MAF normal-year allocation, authorities are already urging careful, planned use of every drop.
Key Takeaways
The Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam reached its full level of 138.68 metres (455 feet) on 30 September 2026 — the seventh time since 2017 .
The reservoir holds a total storage capacity of 9,460 MCM at maximum level.
The dam supplies drinking water to over four crore people across 10,453 villages , 191 cities , and 7 municipal corporations in Gujarat.
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel performed Jal Poojan at the site for the third consecutive year .
Gujarat has 7.9 MAF of water available this year against a normal-year allocation of 9 MAF .
Under SAUNI Yojana , 288 MCM was supplied, filling 167 lakes , 1,014 check dams , and 45 dams in Saurashtra and Kutch.
The Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam reached its full reservoir level of 138.68 metres (455 feet) on Wednesday, 30 September 2026, marking the seventh time since 2017 that the reservoir has attained its maximum capacity — providing a critical water buffer for Gujarat ahead of the summer months. The dam, located at Ekta Nagar, holds a total storage capacity of 9,460 million cubic metres (MCM) at this level.
Jal Poojan Ceremony at Ekta Nagar
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel visited the dam site at Ekta Nagar to mark the occasion, performing Jal Poojan amid Vedic chants and traditional ceremonies to welcome the Narmada waters. This was Patel's third consecutive year performing the ritual at the dam, where he also offered prayers for the water stored at full reservoir level.
Senior officials present included Minister of State for Water Supply Ishwarsinh Patel, Chief Secretary M.K. Das, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjeev Kumar, Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Puri, and Statue of Unity CEO Amit Arora, among other district administration officials.
Water Availability and Supply Outlook
Chief Minister Patel noted that Gujarat currently has around 7.9 million acre-feet (MAF) of water available, based on total inflows into the Narmada basin during the current year — against the state's normal-year allocation of 9 MAF. He underscored the importance of judicious and planned water use, calling it a collective responsibility to maximise every drop. The dam reached its peak after steady inflows over the monsoon season.
Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the Sardar Sarovar Dam to the nation on 17 September 2017, it has reached its maximum level in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. Notably, the dam did not reach full capacity in 2021 and some other years in between, making this year's achievement significant in the context of monsoon reliability.
Who Benefits: Scale of Water Supply
The Sardar Sarovar project currently supplies drinking water to more than four crore people across 10,453 villages, 191 cities, and seven municipal corporations in Gujarat. The sheer scale of the project makes each full-reservoir year a consequential milestone for millions across the state.
Sujalam-Sufalam and SAUNI Yojana: Reaching the Drought-Prone Regions
During the current monsoon, the government also channelled water to North Gujarat and the Saurashtra-Kutch regions through two major schemes. Under the Sujalam-Sufalam Yojana, 201 MCM (7,118 million cubic feet or MCFT) of water was supplied, filling 1,028 lakes across Gujarat.
Under the SAUNI Yojana, 288 MCM (10,189 MCFT) of water was supplied, filling 167 lakes, 1,014 check dams, and 45 dams in the water-stressed Saurashtra and Kutch regions. The supply to historically drought-prone areas underscores the dam's role as Gujarat's principal water security infrastructure. As summer approaches, authorities are expected to roll out a phased drawdown plan to sustain supply through the dry months.
Point of View
But the 7.9 MAF availability against a 9 MAF allocation is a quiet warning embedded in Wednesday's celebration — Gujarat is drawing on a thinner buffer than official messaging suggests. The dam's supply network, reaching over four crore people and seven municipal corporations, means even modest shortfalls in a dry year cascade into an urban water crisis. The emphasis on 'judicious use' from the Chief Minister signals that the state is already planning for a leaner summer, even as the ceremonies project confidence. How the government manages the drawdown — and whether the Sujalam-Sufalam and SAUNI infrastructure holds up under demand — will be the real test of this year's milestone.
NationPress
30 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times has the Sardar Sarovar Dam reached full level since 2017?
The Sardar Sarovar Dam has reached its full reservoir level of 138.68 metres seven times since it was dedicated to the nation in 2017 — in 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. The dam did not reach full capacity every year in that period.
How many people benefit from the Sardar Sarovar project?
The Sardar Sarovar project currently supplies drinking water to more than four crore people across 10,453 villages, 191 cities, and seven municipal corporations in Gujarat. It is the state's primary water security infrastructure.
What is the current water availability in Gujarat after the dam reached full level?
Gujarat has approximately 7.9 million acre-feet (MAF) of water available for the current year, based on total inflows into the Narmada basin. This is below the state's normal-year allocation of 9 MAF, prompting Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to call for planned and judicious use.
What are the Sujalam-Sufalam and SAUNI Yojana schemes?
The Sujalam-Sufalam Yojana and SAUNI Yojana are Gujarat government schemes that channel Narmada waters to water-stressed regions including North Gujarat, Saurashtra, and Kutch. During the current monsoon season, 201 MCM was supplied under Sujalam-Sufalam, filling 1,028 lakes, while SAUNI supplied 288 MCM, filling 167 lakes, 1,014 check dams, and 45 dams.
What is the total water storage capacity of the Sardar Sarovar Dam?
At its full reservoir level of 138.68 metres (455 feet), the Sardar Sarovar Dam has a total water storage capacity of 9,460 million cubic metres (MCM). The dam was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 17 September 2017.
