Tonk – In a historic development, the gate of Bisalpur Dam was opened in the month of July for the first time in 21 years. On Wednesday evening, the dam’s water level crossed 315.48 metres, prompting authorities to begin releasing water into the Banas River.
This marks only the eighth time in the dam’s history that the gate has been opened, but never before in July. Officials said that due to heavy rainfall in the region, the water level rose much earlier than usual, leading to overflow conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted good rainfall this season, and the forecast proved accurate.
Celebratory Atmosphere at Gate Opening
The opening of the dam gate took place amid a festive environment with drums and music. Deoli-Uniara MLA Rajendra Gurjar, Tonk Collector Kalpana Agarwal, and Superintendent of Police Rajesh Meena were present on the occasion. Rajasthan’s Water Resources Minister Suresh Rawat was scheduled to attend but his visit was postponed.
In a message shared on social media, Minister Rawat stated, “Bisalpur Dam, the ocean of hopes, is full — the gate has been opened for water release.”
Gate Opened for Second Year in a Row
This is the second consecutive year the dam gate has been opened. In 2024, water levels had also reached overflow, leading to a gate release. The dam plays a critical role in supplying water to Tonk, Jaipur, and Ajmer districts.
Gates Typically Open in August or September
The Bisalpur Dam Administration confirmed that until now, the dam had overflowed seven times, all during August or September. Between 2004 and 2024, the gates were opened on:
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16 August 2004
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19 August 2006
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13 August 2014
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9 August 2016
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19 August 2019
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26 August 2022
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6 September 2024
Opening the gates in July 2025 marks a historic first.
Dam Built in 2003, Vital for Irrigation and Drinking Water
Construction of the Bisalpur Dam was completed in 2003, and it first reached full capacity in 2004. Since then, water from the dam has been released 15 times through its right and left canals, helping to irrigate around 80,000 hectares in the Tonk district.
The area has become the second-largest producer of mustard in Rajasthan. Additionally, the dam serves as a key drinking water source for large populations in Tonk, Jaipur, and Ajmer.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
