The Barrage

The Durgapur Barrage spans the Damodar River in a single uninterrupted arc of 692 metres. Completed in 1955 by the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), the structure is positioned 12 meters above the riverbed. It is fitted with 34 radial crest gates, which can be operated individually to control the downstream flow. This mechanism facilitates the release of water from the upstream Maithon and Panchet dams, particularly when they reach capacity during the monsoon season. The barrage is flanked by two main irrigation canals: the left-bank main canal (136.8 km long) and the right-bank main canal (88.5 km long), which between them serve an irrigation command area of over 364,000 hectares of farmland..
Walk across the road bridge that runs parallel to the barrage for the finest panoramic views. One of the most tranquil water bodies in West Bengal is the upstream reservoir, which appears glassy, expansive, and is bordered by riverside plant life. Below the structure, when gates are open during or after heavy rain, the water churns white and spectacular. A short footbridge crosses the adjacent canal; crossing it with a lock-gate open beneath your feet is, as one long-time resident puts it, 'simply dizzying'.