Important Dams of India, Longest, Highest, Oldest Dams of India

Dams play a crucial role in India’s water management, agriculture, and hydroelectric power generation. As one of the largest countries in the world, India boasts a diverse array of dams that serve multiple purposes, including irrigation, flood control, and energy production. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the longest, highest, and oldest dams in India, highlighting their significance and contributions to the nation’s development.

Important Dams of India

Dams have played an important role in India’s development by providing water for farming, generating clean hydroelectric power, and controlling floods. India has 5334 dams with 447 being very important. Dams are built across rivers or streams to hold back water. They help store water, control floods, and generate energy. Dams create reservoirs that supply water for irrigation, flood control, fish farming, drinking, and navigation. A dam is an artificial barrier made to hold water, and the reservoir it creates is used for irrigation, power generation, and more. Dams are classified based on their structure and purpose.

Top 5 Major Dams in India

1. Tehri Dam

Tehri Dam is located in Uttarakhand on the Bhagirathi River. Its 260.5-meter height makes it India’s tallest dam, and it ranks among the 10 highest dams in the world.

2. Bhakra Nangal Dam

The Bhakra Nangal Dam is situated on the Sutlej River in the states of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab. It is the largest dam in India, with a height of 225 metres, and is also the second-largest dam in Asia.

3. Hirakud Dam

The Hirakud Dam is located in the Odisha state on the River Mahanadi. With a total length of 25.79 km, it is the longest dam in India and among the top ten longest dams in the world.

4. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam

The Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is in the Telangana state, along the Krishna River. It is the largest masonry dam ever constructed in India and the world’s largest artificial lake. It is 1.55 kilometres long and has 26 gates.

5. Sardar Sarovar Dam

The Sardar Sarovar Dam is in Gujarat, on the Narmada River. It is the biggest dam in the Narmada Valley Project. The nearby states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra benefit from this dam.

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State-wise Dams in India

List of Dams in India with River and State:

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List of Important Dams in India

Here is a complete List of Important Dams in India

Major Dams in India

Longest Dam in India

The longest Dam in India is the Hirakud Dam. The Hirakud Dam is built on the Mahanadi River in the Sambalpur district of Odisha. The Hirakud Dam is 25.79 km long. It was completed in 1953.

Tallest Dam in India

The Tehri Dam is the tallest dam in India and the 12th tallest dam in the world, standing at 260.5 meters high. It is located on the Bhagirathi River in the town of New Tehri, Uttarakhand. The dam is 575 meters long and 260 meters high. The dam’s reservoir has a total installed capacity of 1000 megawatts making it a significant source of renewable energy for the region. The first part of the dam was completed in 2006. It is an important part of the Tehri hydropower project managed by THDC India Ltd.

Oldest Dam in India

The oldest dam in India is the Kallanai Dam which is on the Kaveri River in the Thanjavur district of Tamil Nadu. It was built between 100 BC and 100 AD, and today, it is managed by the Tamil Nadu government.

Benefits of Dams

• Irrigation: Dams provide a reliable source of water for irrigation, ensuring agricultural prosperity and food security.
• Hydroelectricity: Dams generate clean hydroelectric power reducing dependence on fossil fuels and combating climate change.
• Flood control: Dams regulate river flows preventing devastating floods and protecting communities.
• Drinking water: Some dams supply drinking water to cities and towns.

Significance of Dams in India

Dams in India serve multiple purposes:

• Irrigation: Dams play a vital role in irrigation, especially in agriculture-dominated states. They provide a reliable water source, facilitating the cultivation of various crops and enhancing food security.
• Hydroelectric Power: Many dams generate hydroelectric power, contributing to the national grid and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. Hydroelectric projects help combat climate change by providing clean energy.
• Flood Control: Dams regulate river flow, minimizing the risk of flooding in downstream areas during heavy rainfall.
• Water Supply: Dams ensure a steady supply of drinking water to urban and rural populations, improving public health and sanitation.

Challenges and Concerns

• Displacement and Rehabilitation: The construction of dams leads to the displacement of communities, their livelihood and resettlement.
• Environmental Impact: Dams can harm ecosystems, biodiversity, and river communities.
• Siltation: Silt buildup in reservoirs reduces storage capacity and dam efficiency.
• Social and Economic Inequality: The benefits of dams may not be shared equally.

Conclusion

India’s dams are not only engineering marvels but also lifelines for millions of people. They contribute significantly to the country’s agricultural productivity, energy generation, and water management. Understanding the importance of these structures can help in formulating policies for sustainable development and effective resource management in the face of climate change and increasing water scarcity. The historical, cultural, and economic significance of dams underscores the need for continuous investment in infrastructure to support India’s growing population and economy.

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