Chambal River: Origin, Tributaries, Basin, Dams and Concerns

Chambal river is one of the cleanest perennial rivers of India. It originates at Janapav, south of Mhow town, on the south slope of the Vindhya Range in Madhya Pradesh. Chambal flows north-northeast through Madhya Pradesh, running for a time through Rajasthan, then forming the boundary between Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh before turning southeast to join the Yamuna in Uttar Pradesh.

It ends at a confluence of five rivers, including the Chambal, Kwari, Yamuna, Sind, Pahuj, at Pachnada near Bhareh in Uttar Pradesh state, at the border of Bhind and Etawah districts.

Chambal River Summary Sheet

Chambal River in mythology:

Ancient name of Chambal is said to be Charmanyavati, which may be in reference to the story of king Rantideva sacrificing several cows on its banks.

In the epic Mahabarat, Charmanwati was the southern boundary of Panchala Kingdom. King Drupada ruled the southern Panchalas up to the bank of the Charmanwati river. The region was part of the kingdom of Shakuni, the maternal uncle of Kauravs. After her attempted disrobing at the hands of Kauravs, Draupadi cursed anybody who will drink water from the river. The infamy gathered by the river may have been the reason for absence of any big settlement on its banks except Kota.

Keshoraipattan near Kota is a famous pilgrimage spot dedicated to Lord Vishnu on banks of Chambal.

Chambal River Course:

Chambal River originates from northern slopes of  Singar Chouri peak, at an altitude of 884.4 m, in the Vindyan Range. It flows in northerly direction through Madhya Pradesh (M.P.) for about 346 kilometres and enters Rajasthan near  Chaurasigarh (Chittorgarh). Here the river falls 505 m and then enters a gorge for 113 Kms and leaves it near Kota.

From Kota, it makes boundary between Kota and Bundi district and then boundary between Rajasthan and M.P passing through Sawai Madhopur, Karauli and Dholpur. It eventually enters U.P. and flows for about 32 kilometres before joining the Yamuna near Bhareh.

Chambal River Basin:

Rajasthan has the largest catchment area of the Chambal river at 79,401 square km, which is 57.86 per cent of the total catchment of the river. In Rajasthan, Chambal basin extends to 11 Districts including Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Bundi, Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, Jhalawar, Kota, Baran, Pratapgarh and Dholpur districts (ref). On its south, east and west, the basin is bounded by the Vindhyan mountain ranges and on the north-west by the Aravallis. Maximum area of Chambal Basin is covered by Baran District (22.43% of basin area) and while it is least covered by Tonk District (1.38% of basin area).

The proposed Parwati- Kalisindh-Chambal link is one of the big projects being planned in the basin which will divert surplus waters of Parwati and Kalsindh to the Rana Pratap Sagar or Gandhi Sagar dam.

Chambal River Dams:

There are four main dams on chambal river located from south to north

1. Gandhi Sagar Dam
2. Rana Pratap Sagar Dam
3. Jawahar Sagar Dam
4. Kota Barrage

Chambal River Tributaries:

The tributaries of the Chambal include Shipra, Choti Kalisindh, Sivanna, Retam, Ansar, Kalisindh, Banas, Parbati, Seep, Kuwari, Kuno, Alnia, Mej, Chakan, Parwati, Chamla, Gambhir, Lakhunder, Khan, Bangeri, Kedel and Teelar.

Kali Sindh

Kali Sindh River Summary Sheet

Parban River is  a tributary of Kali Sindh. that originates in Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh. Parban flows through Sehore, Shajapur and Rajgarh districts in Madhya Pradesh . It covers Jhalawar, Kota, Baran districts of Rajasthan and meets Kali Sindh in Baran district of Rajasthan.

Parbati River:

Parbati River Summary Sheet

Mej River:

Mej river is a left bank tributary of Chambal River. It originates near Mandalgarh in Bhilwara and joins Chambal in Kota. The catchment area of Mej river extends over Bhilwara, Bundi and Tonk of Rajasthan.

Mej River Summary Sheet

Other Tributaries of Chambal River:

Chakan River

• River Chakan is formed by the confluence of many local nallahs. The river flows in a south-easterly direction and joins river Chambal near Karanpura village in Sawai Madhopur District. The catchment is situated in Sawai Madhopur, Tonk, Bundi and Kota Districts.

Kunu River

• River Kunu originates north of Guna town in MP. It flow for 48 km in MP before entering Rajasthan near Museri village in Baran District.
• The river enters again MP and flows north for about 24 km before again re-entering Rajasthan near Gordhanpura village in Kota District and joins Chambal river.
• The main tributaries of river Kunu are Karal and Rempi.

Alnia: 

• The Alnia River originates in the north-western slopes of Mukindwara hills, and flows for about 58 km before joining the Chambal near Notana village in Kota District.
• The catchment area of the Alania River is 792 km².

River Interlinking Projects in Chambal:

Wildlife in Chambal River:

The Chambal River is regarded pollution free, and is home to a remarkable variety of riverine fauna, which includes 2 types of crocodiles – the gharial and mugger, smooth-coated otters, 8 varieties of freshwater turtles, skimmers, gangetic river dolphins, sarus cranes, black-bellied terns, and black-necked storks, along with others.

Wildlife Protected Areas near Chambal River

• Ranthambore National Park
• Mukundhara Hills Darrah National Park
• National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary
• Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary

Read Ahead:

• Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project: ERCP
• Forest Department Plans Turtle Conservation