CHAPTER -3

STUDY AREA

The Chambal region is of great geological significance. The area lies near the junction

of two different geological systems, namely Vindhyan system (geologically very old

system belonging to the Paleozoic era) and the Aravalis system. The Chambal river

valley throughout its course from Kota onwards, till its confluence with Yamuna

approximately represents the geological boundary between these two systems.

Chambal River Basin is located between latitudes 22°27' and 27°20' and longitudes

73°20' and 79°20'. Banas and Mahi river basins lie to its west, Garnbhir and Parbati

Basins to its north. Its eastern and southern edges border Madhya Pradesh State.

Charnbal River Basin extends over parts of Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Bundi, Sawai

Madhopur, Tonk, Jhalawar, Kota, Baran and Dholpur Districts.

The total catchment area of the basin is 31,460 Km2 (excluding Banas Basin, which is

also a tributary of Charnbal) according to the 1 :250,000 scale topographical maps

published by the Survey of India (www.rajirrigation.gov.in)

Orographically, the western part of the basin is marked by hilly terrain belonging to

the Vindhyan chain, with fairly sloping terrain along the Charnbal River and its

tributaries. East of Kota-Jhalawar lays an extensive alluvial plain sloping gently

northwards towards the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh.

The National Chambal Sanctury is famous for the rare Gagnetic dolphin. The

Sanctury was founded in 1979 and is a part of a large area co-administered by

Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Apart from the Gagnetic dolphin, the

other inhabitants of the sanctury include magar (crocodile) and ghariyal (alligator),

chinkara, sambar, nilgai, wolf and wild bear. (Figure 3.1)

Study Area

Figure3.1 Crocodile in the river Chambal

Ferry used for the collection of samples

37

Study Area

3.1 DRAINAGE Chambal, the largest tributary of the Yamuna, which in turn feeds the great Ganga,

flows through three largest states of Indian Union namely Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan

and Uttar Pradesh. It takes its birth in the heart of India among the Vindhyas of

Madhya Pradesh running dead north for about 257 Km (160 miles).

The main tributaries which confluence Chambal in MP are Shipra and Choti Kali

Sindh. The bludgeoning water way enters Rajasthan through an awesome gorge near

historic fort of Chaurasigarh. A little beyond, the river turns northeast, flows past

Kota, receives one of its major tributary, the Kali Sindh near Norera village (Laban).

Another major tributary, the Parbati joins about 48 Km (30 miles) downstream. Banas

is the largest tributary of the River Chambal. These two rivers meet near village

Rameshwar in Khandar Block at Sawai Madhopur District. Keeping up a straight

course for 212 Km (132 miles), it bends southeast at Panihat and makes for the

Yamuna, to join it near Muradaganj, after a total run of 965Km (600 miles) (Figure

3.2).

The first 274 Km (170 miles) of Chambal lies entirely in Madhya Pradesh, the next

153 Km (95 miles) entirely in Rajasthan. Beyond Pali upto Panihat, 241 Km (150

miles) of river divides Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. In its last lap of 105 Km (65

miles), a little before it pays final tribute to Yamuna, it constitutes the borderline

between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, the last 40 Km (25 miles) lying entirely

in Uttar Pradesh. The Chambal is thus the most shared river.

River Chambal is the most important tributary, occupying nearly half of the basin area

of Yamuna and contributes 5 to 10 times more water to the Yamuna than its own flow

in dry weather. The river basin is roughly rectangular in shape, with a maximum

length of 560 Km in northeast-southwest direction.

The course of Chambal may be considered as composed of the following three

sections:

• The upper valley or course in the Vindhyan hills, and Malwa Plateau.

• The middle valley through the concentric triple scraps and 32Km long gorge

between the Gandhi Sagar Dam and Kota in which potholes, rapids and

waterfalls are recurrent.

• The lower valley in the plain of the country joining the Yamuna.

38

Study Area

81.86 1 21

.

61

20 40 60 1 cm=20 km

Figure 3.2 Map of drainage area of the Chambal River Basin

39

Study Area

The lower vaHey is drained by the waters of the Chambal and its major tributaries,

namely, the Banas, the Kali Sindh and the Parbati. The valley resembles a rectangle

upto the junctions of the Parbati and Banas with the Chambal flowing along its major

axis. Downstream from the confluence of the Parbati, the valley becomes very narrow

and elongated. In this section there is no major tributary of the Chambal, therefore

vaHey and the drainage basin are almost one and the same.

The Drainage pattern, which is an indication of the underlying geological structure in

the course of fluvial cycle are important features. The drainage map of the Chambal

valley exhibits five types of drainage patterns, viz. a pinnate dendritic, trellis,

rectangular, radial and centripetal in different parts and varying geological

formations.

3.2 TRIBUTARIES

The main tributaries of river Chambal in MP are Shipra and Choti Kalisindh and in

Rajasthan are Kalisindh, Parbati and Banas (www.rajirrigation.gov.in).

3.2.1 Kshipra

The Shipra also known as the Kshipra, is a river in Madhya Pradesh state of central

India. The river rises in the Vindhyan Range north of Dhar, and flows south across the

Malwa Plateau to join the Chambal River. It is one of the sacred rivers in Hinduism.

The holy city of Ujjain is situated on its right bank:. Shipra is a perennial river. Earlier

there used to be plenty of water in the river. Now the river stops flowing after a

couple of months following monsoon.

3.2.2 Kalisindh

River Kalisindh originates in the northern slopes of the Vindhya hills. It originates in

MP and enters Rajasthan near Binda village in lhalawar District. It flows for about

145 Km north in Rajasthan before joining river Chambal near Nonera village in Kota

District. The catchment in Rajasthan extends over parts of lhalawar and Kota

Districts.

40

Catchment Area

Longitudes

Latitudes

Tributaries

3.2.3 Parbati

7944 Km2

75°39' and 76°30'

23°53' and 25°34'

Ahu, Amjhar and Parwan

Study Area

Parbati River originates in the northern slopes of the Vindhyan hills in MP. It enters

Rajasthan near Chatarpura village in Baran District where it forms the boundary

between MP and Rajasthan for about 18 Km, then flows for about 83 Km in Rajasthan

before again forming the boundary between MP and Rajasthan for a length of about

58 Km up to Pali village in Kota District, where it joins the Chambal. The river

catchment in Rajasthan is situated in Kota and lhalawar Districts.

Catchment Area 5001 Km2

Longitudes

Latitudes

Tributaries

3.2.4 Banas

75°22' and 77°12'

24°19' and 25°51'

Lhasi, Berni, Bethli, Andheri, Retri, Dubraj,

Bilas and Kunu

River Banas originates in the Kharnnor hills of the Aravali range (about 5 Km from

Kumbhalgarh) and flows along its entire length through Rajasthan. Banas is a major

tributary of the River Chambal, the two rivers meeting near village Rameshwar in

Khandar Block in Sawai Madhopur District. The total length of the river is about 512

Km.

Catchment Area

Longitudes

Latitudes

Tributaries

45,833 Km2

73°25' and 77°00'

24°15' and 27°20'

Berach and Menali on the right and Kothari,

Khari, Dai, Dheel, Sohadara, Morel and

Kalisil on the left

41

Study Area

3.3 GEOLOGY

Geologically, the Chambal basin is a junction between the northwestern lobe of the

Vindhyan basin and the southeastern fringe of the Aravali range in the sense that here

the younger formations of the Vindhyan period have truncated and faulted against the

Gwalior fonnation. The great boundary Flaut enters the Chambal basin from the

north-east Sapotra town (26°15':76°45'). It passes through the line of the

Ranthambore-Bundi hills covering a distance of about 800 Km and extends south­

westwards upto Chittorgarh (24°54':74°42'). This fault roughly divides the basin into

two parts. The northwestern part comprises the intensely folded Archean formations

while the south-eastern part is composed of horizontally reposing Vindhyan system.

The Vindhyans of the southern part are covered by the Deccan Trap.

The lower Chambal Valley forms the extreme northeastern portion of the Chambal

basin. So, the valley more or less falls to the southeast of the great boundary fault.

Therefore, the region under study mainly comprises the Vindhyan Super Group and

unconsolidated sediments overlying the Vindhyans. The Gwalior fonnations occur

only in a narrow and elongated belt from Khenia to Sapotra along the Boundary fault

in the northwest.

3.3.1 The Gwalior Group

The Gwalior group of the valley is characterized by genesis, schists, shales, haematite

slates, quartzites, jasper, beds and dolerites. It occupies most of the area in the

northwest along the main fault.

3.3.2 The Vindhyan Super Group

The Vindhyans form the border hills of Bundi district north of the Chambal river, the

surface of the Dangland north-east of Banas water gap, the Kota plateau near the

Chambal canyon in the south-west and the circular dome of Ramgarh between the

Parbati and Kul rivers in the south-eastern portion of the Valley_ It is the only locality

where the Vindhyan strata shows any marked structural disturbances.

3.3.3 The Lower Vindhyans

The lower Vindhyan fonnations in the lower Chambal Valley are found between the

two main faults in the northeast. The lowest beds are exposed in the double syncline

42

Study Area

of the Vindhyans and extend to the Ranthambore hill. They rest uncomfortably over

the Gwalior quartzites.

3.3.4 The Upper Vindhyans

In the lower Chambal valley the Kaimur conglomerate is the interrupting rock

formation, which separates the upper Vindhyans from the lower by well-marked

unconformity. The upper Vindhyans are predominantly composed of stratified shales,

sandstones and limestones. They are found in disconnected areas, which are Kaimur

group, Rewa Group, Bhander Group etc.

3.3.5 Rocks and minerals

Igneous Rocks: Granite, Basalt and rhyolite are the types of igneuos rocks which are

found in upstream region of the Chambal Basin. It also covers southern part of

Gandhi Sagar.

Sedimentary rocks: Sandstone, shales and limestone are mainly found near Gandhi

Sagar, Rawatbhata Atomic Power Plant (RAPP), Kota and southeast region of the

Chambal Basin. Rajasthan is main center for export of sandstone to other parts of

country. Types of sedimentary rocks which dominate the region of three main

tributaries (Kalisindh, Parbati and Banas) of the Chambal River are alluvium, blown

sand and laterite.

Metamorphic rocks: Amphibolite, Epidiorite and unclassied crystal lines are

localized in the western parts of Rajasthan. Quartzite and schists which are the

metamorphic forms of sandstone lie comfortably on sedimentary rocks near Gandhi

Sagar (www.rajasthaninfoline.comlrinfolminerals.htm) (Figure 3.3).

Iron Ore: Iron ore deposits of economic interest are located in Zawar, Pali, Bhilwara,

Gwalior, Gandhi Sagar etc.

43

C Lead, Zinc and Silver

() A bestos

~ Garnate, Emrald

o Copper Scale • Limestone 0 t> Gypsum

+ Mangoese

20 40

1 em = 20 km

81.86 27.67

60

22.74 L-_--===-:~______====_____!'~:>........!:....=:=::::::::---------------------

73.68

Igneous (Granite, Basalts and Rhyollite) 1 Sedimentary (Alluvium, Blown sand and Laterite) :=====::::; ~=~

Sedimentary (Sandstone, Shale and Limestone) L-__ --l

~===~ "--__ ---'I Amphibolite, Epidiorite and Unclassified Crystalines

Metamorphic (Quartzite and Schists)

Figure 3.3 Geological map of rocks and minerals of the Chambal river basin

44

Study Area

Study Area

Lead, Zinc and Silver: Rajasthan produces 90% of the country's zinc. Famous zinc

mines are located at Dariba, Zawarmala (Zawar mines) and Rampura aghucha

(opencast) near Bhilwara. Lead and Silver are also found in some places of Bhilwara,

Udaipur, Rajasmand, Gwalior and Jhansi.

Asbestos: Rajashan produces 89% of the country's Asbestos and the region lies near

Pali, Ajmer, Bhilwara, Sirohi, Dungarpur etc.

Granite and Emrald: Region where Granite and Emrald are found is mainly located

in Rajasthan (Bhilwara and Tonk). Rajasthan is well known for exporting jewels like

diamond, emerald, granite etc.

Copper: 90% of country's copper is produced in Rajasthan. The largest copper

smelters in the country are based in the state. The Khetri area is especially rich in

copper ores. These were extracted, melted and then made into different kinds of

implements.

Limestone: Extensive deposits of limestone are known in the geological formations

of the Aravalli ranges in Rajasthan. Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan are the largest

producers of limestone in the country. Rich limestone deposits at Gotan in Rajasthan

are best available in the country for white cement. High-grade limestone and

chemical grade limestone deposits are also found in abundance. Several bands of

crystalline limestone varying in composition from high calcium to dolomite and

siliceous type are found in the vicinity of Sawai-Madhopur and Kota.

Gypsum: The total reserves of gypsum in the State are estimated at 1070 million

tones. The important localities are Bhadwasi (Nagaur), Kota and Tonk.

Manganese Ore: The manganiferous formations are associated with orthoquartzite­

limestone and manganiferous cherts/quartzite. The important manganese deposits are

located between Ratlam, Banswara, Chittorgarh and Beawar.

3.4 SOIL TYPES

Soils of Chambal Valley are so diverse, so are the landforms that vary much over the

face of the Valley. On the soil map of India, the Chambal Valley falls within the

limits of two main soil groups, viz. the reddish grey and the yellowish brown alluvial

soil (Ultisols and Alfisols). These recent to post-tertiary river borne deposits of the

valley cover a large area and fonn a triangular riverine plain from Kota City to the

confluence with Yamuna. In the vast tract of the consolidated deposits, one finds the

45

Study Area

plains remarkably level for hundreds of kilometers and the only noticeable relief is

that of floodplain bluffs, belt of ravines and badlands. The alluvial deposits of the

valley are significant not merely because of their agricultural value but also due to

their geomorphic composition.

Surface soil of Chambal river basin is classified mainly into two main groups viz.

Alfisols, Ultisols, Vertisols and Inceptisols. Soil classes of Chambal command area

can be distinguished on the basis of the clay content, total soluble salts, pH and

calcium carbonates. According to USA soil taxonomy, the following are the four main

and sub soil types of the Chambal Valley (Figure 3.4).

Alfisols: Alfisols are formed in semiarid to humid areas, typically under a hardwood

forest cover. They have a clay and nutrient-enriched subsoil. "Alf" refers to

Aluminium (AI) and Iron (Fe). Because of their productivity and abundance, the

Alfisols represent one of the most important soil orders. They are more weathered

than inceptisols but less weathered than spodosols. Sub-groups of alfisols are

Rhodustalfs, Pellusterts (mixed red and black soils), Paleustalfs, Hapllaquents (older

alluvial soils) and Haplustalfs, Paleustalfs, Rhodustalfs (red sandy soils). These soil

types are spread over Chittaurgarh, Tonk, Bharatpur, Sawaimadhopur, Pratapgarh,

Bhind, Morena, Dholpur, Etawah and the region between Ganga and Yamuna.

Ultisols: Ultisols are defined as mineral soils which contain no calcareous material

anywhere within the soil and are also known as Acrisols. Typically Ultisols are red to

yellow in color and are quite acidic, often having a pH of less than 5. The red and

yellow colors result from the accumulation of iron oxide which is highly insoluble in

water. Major nutrients, such as calcium and potassium, are typically deficient in

Ultisols. Ultisols can have a variety of clay minerals, but in many cases the dominant

mineral is Kaolinite. Ultisols are found in Bhilwara.

46

22.74 73.68 Rhodus1alfs, Pellus1erts

(Mixed Red and Black Soils)

Ochraquults, Rhodustults., HaplustuJL~ ( Red and Yellow Soils)

Paleustalfs, Haplaquents ( Olde. AUuyial Soils)

Haplustalfs, Pale.L.talfs, Rhotustalfs ( Red Sand) Soils )

--

N

i Scale

.~

o 20 40 1 em; 20 km

Pellusterl •• Chromustert, ( Medium Black Suils)

Ustochrepts ( Shallow Bh ck Soils )

Pelluderts, Pellusterts, C lrnDusterLt; ( Deep Black Soil. )

60

Figure 3.4 Geological map of soil type of the Chambal river basin

47

81.86 27.67

Study Area

Study Area

Vertisol: Vertisol is the most abundant soil of Chambal region. Vertisol is a soil in

which there is a high content of expensive clay known as montmorillonite that forms

deep cracks in drier season. Alternate shrinking and swelling causes self.-mulching,

where the soil material consistently mixes itself. Chamba! command area is mainly

covered by medium black and deep black soils. It occurs along side of both the river

banks, Indore, Ratlam, Alot, Mandasor (Gandhi Sagar), Rawatbhata (RAPP), Kota,

Laban (Kalisindh), Pali (Parbati) and Rameshwar (Banas).

Inceptisols: They are formed quickly through alteration of parent material. They have

no accumulation of clays, Fe, Al or organic matter. They are confined to only some

regions of Bundi and Sawaimadhopur.

3.5 RAVINES

The ravine cuttings into the post-tertiary alluvium are the most common and the most

striking features of the lower Chambal Valley. The belt of ravines stretches from Kota

city to the confluence of the Chambal with Yamuna over a distance of about 482 Km.

The ravines extend along the banks and are broadly separated by the watershed of the

river on both sides. From Kota to Dholpur, the Bundi-Ranthambore line of hills and

beyond the ravines of Choti Parbati from the northern boundary of the Chambal

ravines. The southern boundary fluctuates with the tributaries like the Kali Sindh and

the Parbati. Further, the south-eastern boundary of the Chanlbal ravines is well

marked by the ravines of Kunwari River. Taking the average width of the ravine belt

as about 10 Km, the total area dissected is thus about 4820Km2•

3.6 CLIMATE

The climate of the valley is a vital physical factor, which decides the nature, and the

extent of the weathering and erosion processes and has profound influence on the

agricultural conditions. In general, the valley is a part of the sub-humid regions of

India where the great extremes of temperature and rainfall predominate.

48

Study Area

3.6.1 Rainfall

The mean annual rainfall over the Chambal Basin was computed as 797 mm, of which

about 93 % falls during the three Monsoon months (July-September). This rainfall is

generally associated with the depressions from RClY of Bengal. Only 5% of the rainiall

occurs during the cold season in the valley. Although the annual rainfall is not heavy,

the intensity on the occasion has been observed too large (Figure 3.5).

3.6.2 Temperature

One of the chief characteristics of climate of the Chambal, as other semi-arid climatic

regions is the great extreme of the temperature. The winter is quite cold at many

places. On the contrary, the heat during the swnmer season is very intensive,

scorching and unbearable. The period from October to February constitutes the cold

season. January is the coldest month of th~ ye:lf. At KUla, lhe daiiy mean maximum

and minimum temperatures are 25.02°C and lO.61 oC respectively, the mean being

17.81 oC.

From February to April, the daily mean maximum and minimum temperatures rise at

the rate of about 2.5°C to 3.0°C during the successive months. lbe highest

temperature is recorded in May when hot season is at its climax. In this month, the

daily mean maximum and minimum temperatures at Kota are 41.5°C and 29.08°C

respectively, the mean being 35.29°C. lbe weather cools down with the onset of

monsoon and brings relief after prolonged heat of the summer sea'mn.

3.6.3 Winds

Winds in Chambal command area are seasonal and undergo changes in speed and

direction. The rain bearing winds blow from the southwest from the Arabian sea upto

the middle of July and then blow alternately upto the middle of the August from the

Southwest and East and thereafter towards the east from the bay of Bengal. The area

therefore gets the tailing of the rains brought down by southwest wind currents.

49

N

i Scale

o 20 40 1 em =20 km

22.74 ___ _

73.68

Figure 3.5 Map of rainfall pattern of the Chambal region

50

81.86 27.S7

60

Study Area

Study Area

3.6.4 Humidity

The Chambal basin is arid to semi-arid region. Relative humidity drops about 20%

during March, April and May. luly-August are the most humid period averaging 70%

to 80% humidity.

3.7 LAND USE

Land use is the surface utilization of all developed and vacant lands at a specific

point, at a given specific space. It deals with the spatial aspects of all human activities

on the land and with the way in which the land surface is adapted, or could be

adapted, to serve human needs.

3.7.1 Forested Area

The general land use pattern ofthe Chambal valley brings out clearly two major forest

belts. Firstly, the northwestern belt comprising the Bundi-Ranthambore-Kakrauli line

of hills. This belt extends from southwest to northeast. Secondly, the southwestern

belt consisting of the stony upland of kota and the Mukandwara hills. It extends from

northwest to the southeast direction. Small patches of forests are found in the ravine

lands of the valley particularly around Sheopur, Vijaypur and Baran.

3.7.2 Area Not Available for Cultivation

The high percentage of total area lying, as uncultivable waste is a significant aspect of

existing land use situation of the Chambal valley. In this category two types of lands

are included: land put to non-agricultural uses and barren or uncultivable waste. The

land use map shows that this type of land is well distributed in the valley. Maximum

concentration is evidently found in the hilly sections and ravine infested areas. In

these sections, stony natures of land, bold relief and continuous erosion by streams

have collectively rendered greater proportion ofland under this category.

3.7,3 Other Uncultivated Land

The scrutiny of the land use statistics would clearly reveal that the Chambal Valley

also has a fairly high percentage of other uncultivated lands. This class includes

permanent pastures and other grazing lands and the land of those trees and crops,

which are not included in the net sown area.

51

Study Area

3.7.4 Fallow Land

This includes lands, which were taken up for cultivation but are temporarily out of

cultivation for the period of not less than one year and not more than 5 years. The

reasons for keeping such lands fallow in the valley are poverty of farmers, inadequate

supply of water particularly in the hilly and ravine lands and non-profitable nature of

farming.

3.7.5 Net Sown Area

The general land use pattern of the valley indicates that the net sown area is

concentrated in the southwest part. From the southwest it extends in northeast and

northwest directions in descending order. The descending trend of net sown area may

be explained by the occurrence of poor soil, low moisture contents in the soil,

dissected and undulating hilly and ravine topography.

3.8 CHAMBAL VALLEY PROJECTS

Chambal being a small but important river of the three states viz. Madhya Pradesh,

Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh contributes to the agricultural and industrial needs of the

states. Several dams and barrages have been constructed on the river for storage of

water (www.rajirrigation.gov.in).

3.8.1 Gandhi Sagar Dam

This is the first of the four Chambal Valley Projects, located on the Rajasthan­

Madhya Pradesh border. It is a 64 m high masonry gravity dam with a live storage

capacity of6,920 Mm3 and a catchment area of22,584 Km2, of which only 1,537 Km2

are in Rajasthan. The dam was completed in the year 1960. The hydropower station is

located at the dam site and comprises five generating units, four of 23 MW each and

one 27 MW capacity. The water released after power generation is utilised for

irrigation through Kota Barrage. Rajasthan has a 50% share in the power generation

of this station.

3.8.2 Rana Pratap Sagar Dam

Rana Pratap Sagar dam is the second in the series of Chambal Valley Projects,

located 52 Km downstream of Gandhi Sagar darn across the river Chambal in

Rajasthan. This dam was completed in the year 1970.

52

Study Area

It is a straight masonry gravity structure, 54 meters high. The powerhouse is located

on the left side of the spillway and consists of 4 units of 43 MW each with firm power

generation of 90 MW at 60% load factor. The total catchment area of this dam is

24,864 Knl, of which only 956 Km2 are in Rajasthan. The free catchment area below

Gandhi Sagar dam is 2,280 Km2• The live storage capacity is 1,566 Mm3.Rajasthan

State has a 50% share in the power generation of this station.

3.8.3 Jawahar Sagar Dam

lawahar Sagar dam is the third dam in the series of Chambal Valley Projects, located

29Km upstream of Kota city and 26 Km downstream of Rana Pratap Sagar dam,

across the river Chambal. It is a concrete gravity dam, 45 m high and 393 m long,

generating 60MW of power with an installed capacity of 3 units of 33 MW. The work

was completed in 1972. The total catchment area of the dam is 27,195 Km2, of which

only 1,496 Km2 is in Rajasthan. The free catchment area below Rana Pratap Sagar

dam is 2,331 Km2• Rajasthan has a 50% share in the power generation of this station.

3.8.4 Kota Barrage

Kota Barrage is the fourth in the series of Charnbal Valley Projects, located about 0.8

Km upstream of Kota City in Rajasthan. Water released after power generation at

Gandhi Sagar, Rana Pratap Sagar and lawahar Sagar Dams is diverted by Kota

Barrage for irrigation in Rajasthan and in Madhya Pradesh through canals on the left

and the right sides of the river. The work on this dam was completed in 1960.

The total catchment area of Kota Barrage is 27,332 Km2, of which the free catchment

area below lawahar Sagar Dam is just 137 Km2• The live storage is 99 Mm3. It is an

earthfill dam with a concrete spillway. The right and left main canals have a

headworks discharge capacity of 188 and 42m3/sec, respectively. The total length of

the main canals, branches and distribution system is about 2,342 Km, serving an area

of 229 Kha of CCA. 50% of the water intercepted at Kota Barrage has been agreed to

be diverted to MP for irrigation.

53

Study Area

Nagda, one of the sampling location on river Chambal needs to be addressed

separately because of Gwalior Rayon Silk Mills (GRASIM), Asia's biggest rayon

manufacturing unit. Factory was established way back in 1954 at Nagda, district

Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh). Artificial fibre is manufactured through a process called

viscose. During the process lot of toxic chemicals are produced which drain into the

river Chambal without any treatment. (Padmanabhan, 1983). People staying near the

bank still use this water for drinking and irrigation purposes.

Some Scientists have analysed physico-chemical parameters of river Chambal at

Nagda, which is being compared with water quality parameters set by IS: 10500:1991

and the present study.

Table 3.1: Drinking Water Characteristics (IS:10500:1991) (BIS, 1991)

Physico- Physico-

Desirable Permissible Chemical Chemical S.No Parameters Parameters Parameters of

limit (mgll) limit (mgll) ofChambal Chambal (1979) # (2003-2004)*

pH 6.5 - 8.5 No relaxation 6.5 7.14

2 Iron(Fe) 0.3 1.0 0.16

3 Chloride(CI) 250 1000 442 331

4 Fluoride(F) 1.0 1.5 0.76

5 Calcium(Ca) 75 200 125

6 Magnesium(Mg) 30 100 50 45

7 Copper (Cu) 0.05 1.5 0.03

8 Mangnese(Mn) 0.1 0.3 0.47

9 Sulphate(S04) 200 400 900 49

10 Nitrate(N03) 45 100 2.72

11 Cadmiun(Cd) 0.01 No relaxation 0.03

12 Zinc(Zn) 5.0 15 9.66 0.05

13 Alkalanity 200 600 411

14 Dissolve solid 500 2000 3435 1361

*Present Study

#Dad, (1981)

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