Why a 140-year-old dam in Jhansi has earned global heritage tag

For nearly 140 years, Parichha Dam in Jhansi has been crucial in managing the waters of the Betwa river for agriculture in the drought-prone Bundelkhand region. This 19th-century irrigation structure, built between 1881 and 1886, has now been granted the prestigious World Heritage Irrigation Structure (WHIS) status by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID). The dam will receive the WHIS Award-2026 in Marseille, France, on October 14.

The recognition is significant as Parichha not only represents a piece of engineering history but also serves a vital purpose in the 21st century. It has withstood the test of time and continues to store and regulate water for agriculture, even as it supplies water to the 920-MW Parichha Thermal Power Project. The dam is a part of the Betwa canal system, stretching about 1,174 metres long and standing 16.8 metres above the river bed, housing 318 steel gates.

The reservoir's water storage capacity has also been increased from around 1,700 million cubic feet to a more substantial 2,400 million cubic feet. During the monsoon season, the dam's gates are opened, allowing water to flow through its numerous outlets and attracting visitors. Principal Secretary, Irrigation and Water Resources, Anil Garg, emphasized that the ICID's WHIS recognition highlights the dam's historical and engineering significance while appreciating its ongoing role in meeting modern agricultural needs in the region.