Nitish Kumar, the Chief Minister of Bihar, launched the Gayaji Dam, the country’s biggest rubber dam, on the River Falgu near the district of Gaya. An estimated Rs 340 crore was used up on the construction of the Dam. IIT specialists were involved in the project (Roorkee). For the ease of pilgrims, it will always have adequate water in the Dam. As a result of its renovation, devotees who travel to the River Falgu at Vishnupad Ghat to perform Pind Daan will now have to assess to roughly three feet of water throughout the year.
About Gayaji Dam
The Falgu River’s rubber dam, surrounded by long dunes, will increase the number of pilgrims and alter the environment. The Vishnupad Temple in Gaya was designed to receive water continually from the Dam. The IIT Roorkee scientists who designed the Dam gave dimensions 411 metres long, 95.5 metres broad, and 3 metres high. Along with the rubber dam, the banks of the Falgu River have been renovated, and a steel crossing has been built to provide pilgrims access to Sita Kund. Only during the monsoon season does the Falgu river have water; otherwise, it is dry.
Inauguration
Nitish Kumar, the chief minister of Bihar, officially opened the “Gayaji Dam,” the nation’s longest rubber dam, on September, 08 along with a steel foot overbridge for the benefit of pilgrims who come to the area during the Pitripaksha Mela to pay respect to their ancestors.
According to Hindustan Times, he stated, “The meeting with leaders of opposition parties was good in Delhi. It is the initiative’s beginning for a larger plan and will continue. I am not a candidate for any post. My focus is on bringing all the opposition parties together, as that can make the difference in 2024”. “It is a place of salvation. I am happy the Dam has been completed ahead of its deadline and before the Pitripaksha Mela, starting Friday. Now, the second major step will be to ensure Ganga water in Gaya and store it here all through the year. Ganga water has reached up to Rajgir and it should reach Gaya by year-end,” he added, thanking water resources minister Sanjay Kumar Jha and his team for completing the project, the foundation stone for which was laid on September 22, 2020, despite Covid disruptions.
There will be an increase in pilgrims and a change in the scenery due to the rubber dam on the Falgu River, which has a sizable tract of sand dunes. According to Hindustan Times, “The Dam has been built at an estimated cost of ₹ 324 crore. Experts from IIT (Roorkee) were involved with the project. There will be enough water in the Dam round the year for the convenience of pilgrims,” he added. Deputy CM Tejashwi Prasad Yadav said the rubber dam, which presents a picturesque site, manifested the CM’s vision.
