Previous Year Question
The Narmada river flows to the West, while most other large peninsular rivers flow to the East. Why?
It occupies a linear Rift valley.
It flows between the Vindhyas and the Satpuras.
The land slopes to the West from Central India.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below.
Only 1
2 and 3
1 and 3
None of these
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
Statement 1 is correct: The Narmada flows through a long and nearly straight rift valley. This valley was formed when a block of the Earth’s crust subsided between faults. The east–west orientation of this structural valley is the principal reason for the river’s westward course.
Statement 2 is geographically correct, but it does not explain the westward flow: The Narmada valley lies between the Vindhya Range in the north and the Satpura Range in the south. These ranges define the boundaries of the valley, but the direction of flow is primarily controlled by its rift-valley structure.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The general slope of Peninsular India is from west to east. Therefore, most major Peninsular rivers—such as the Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery—flow eastward into the Bay of Bengal. Central India does not have a general westward slope.
Important facts about the Narmada:
It originates from Narmada Kund on the Amarkantak Plateau in Madhya Pradesh.
Its total length is approximately 1,312 km.
It flows through Madhya Pradesh, along parts of the Maharashtra boundary, and through Gujarat.
It enters the Arabian Sea through the Gulf of Khambhat.
At its mouth, it forms an estuary rather than a large delta.
The Marble Rocks at Bhedaghat and the Dhuandhar Falls near Jabalpur are situated along the Narmada.
The Tawa is its largest tributary; the Hiran, Barna, Kolar and Orsang are other important tributaries.
Bargi, Indira Sagar, Omkareshwar and Sardar Sarovar are major projects constructed on the river.
Like the Narmada, the Tapi is another important west-flowing rift-valley river.
Therefore, only Statement 1 provides the correct explanation.