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

Important Dams of India

Dams have been instrumental in India’s development story, providing irrigation water for agriculture, generating clean hydroelectric power, and controlling floods. In India, there are currently 5,334 dams, with 447 of them being particularly significant.

Because they are built across a river or stream to hold water back, dams are significant structures. They are obstructions that can be used to store water, control flooding, and generate energy. Dams provide reservoirs, which provide water for irrigation, flood control, aquaculture of plants and animals, irrigation for people, and navigation.

An artificial barrier called a dam is made to hold water; the resulting reservoir is utilized for irrigation, electricity production, etc. Dams are classed based on their structure, intended use, etc.

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Top 5 Dam in India

1. Tehri Dam

In the state of Uttarakhand, there is a dam called the Tehri. Its 260.5-meter height makes it India’s tallest dam. Additionally, it ranks among the 10 highest dams in the world. On the Bhagirathi River is where this Dam is located.

2. Bhakra Nangal Dam

In the state of Uttarakhand, there is a dam called the Tehri. Its 260.5-meter height makes it India’s tallest dam. Additionally, it ranks among the 10 highest dams in the world. On the Bhagirathi River is where this Dam is located.

3. Hirakud Dam

The Hirakud Dam is situated in the Orissa state. With a total length of 25.79 km, it is the longest dam in India. Additionally, it is among the top ten longest dams in the world. On the River Mahanadi is where the Hirakud Dam is located.

4. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam

The Telangana state is home to the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam. It is the largest masonry dam ever constructed in India. It is the world’s largest lake created artificially. It is 1.55 kilometres long and features 26 gates. It is located along the Krishna River.

5. Sardar Sarovar Dam

Gujarat is where the Sardar Sarovar Dam is situated. The Narmada Valley Project’s largest dam, it. The Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra neighbouring states stand to gain from this dam. It is located by the Narmada River.

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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 2023:

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Major Dams in India

The population of India gains from the large dams in several ways. Dams benefit irrigation facilities in India and provide enough water for home use and industry.

• The primary goal of building dams is to lessen the frequency of flooding.
• Dams facilitate river movement and provide hydroelectric power for the vicinity where they are located.
• The largest dams in India and their tributaries provide water for boating and fishing, which serve as tourist attractions.
• The cheapest mode of transportation is rivers, which may be navigated with the use of dams.
• India’s largest dams provide water for a variety of businesses.

Longest Dam in India

The longest Dam in India is the Hirakud Dam. In the Sambalpur district of the state of Odisha, the Hirakud Dam is constructed on the Mahanadi River. The main dam measures 4.8 km in length while the Hirakud Dam is 25.79 km long overall. In 1953, the Hirakud Dam was completed.

Highest Dam in India

Tehri Dam is the tallest dam in India and the 12th highest or tallest dam in the world, standing at 260.5 meters. In the Indian state of Uttarakhand, the Tehri Dam is situated on the Bhagirathi River in the town of New Tehri. The Tehri dam measures 575 meters in length and 260 meters in height. The Tehri Dam’s initial phase was finished in 2006. It is a part of the Tehri hydropower complex and THDC India Ltd.

Oldest Dam in India

Oldest Dam in India is the Kallanai Dam on the Kaveri River. It is situated in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district. Since it was finished between 100 BC and 100 AD, the Kallanai Dam is now run 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, playing a vital role in public health.

Challenges and Concerns

• Displacement and Rehabilitation: Construction of dams often leads to displacement of communities, raising concerns about their livelihood and resettlement.
• Environmental Impact: Dams can have negative impacts on ecosystems, biodiversity, and riverine communities.
• Siltation: Accumulation of silt in reservoirs reduces storage capacity and impacts dam efficiency.
• Social and Economic Inequality: Benefits of dams may not be distributed equally, leading to disparities between regions and communities.

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