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- Prelims: Indian Geography
Dams in India
- India has around 200 hydropower projects. Being a peninsular country, and having a rich network of water basin, India features as the seventh-largest generator of hydroelectricity in the world. In this article, we will discuss some of the important dams in India and their distinctive features.
What is hydroelectric power?
- Hydroelectric power means the procedure of harnessing electricity through water. It is a process of conserving efficient energy from rapidly flowing water. It is s one of the most established and broadly utilized renewable sources of energy.
List of major dams and hydropower projects in India
| Sl. No. | Name | State and river | Year of establishment | Distinctive points |
| 1. | Tehri | Uttarakhand; on Bhagirathi river | 1978 | Highest dam in India. Collaboration with USSR. |
| 2. | Srisailam | Andhra Pradesh; on Krishna river | 1960 | Second-largest hydropower project in India |
| 3. | Bhakra Nangal Dam | Himachal Pradesh; on Satluj river | 1948 | Both Punjab and Haryana use the outflowing water from this dam. |
| 4. | Nagarjuna Sagar Dam | Andhra Pradesh and Telangana; on Krishna river | 1967 | World’s largest masonry dam protected with 26 gates |
| 5. | Idukki | Kerala; on Periyar river | 1976 | Largest and the most trusted source of electricity in Kerala |
| 6. | Sardar Sarovar Dam | Gujarat; on Narmada river | 1987 | largest dam of Narmada Valley Project |
| 7. | Shivanasamudra | Karnataka; on Kaveri river | 1902 | first hydropower plant of India |
| 8. | Teesta Dam | Sikkim; on Teesta river | 2003 | comprises of 3 turbines for hydropower generation |
| 9. | Koyna | Maharashtra; on Koyna river | 1956 | largest hydel power project in India |
| 10. | Salal | Jammu and Kashmir; on Chenab river | 1970 | constructed in two stages, stage I and stage II |
| 11. | Ranjit Sagar Dam | Punjab; on Ravi river | 1981 | also referred to as the Thein Dam |
| 12. | Machkund dam | Odisha; on makchund river | 1955 | — |
| 13. | Hirakud | Odisha; on Mahanadi river | 1957 | one of the first major multipurpose river valley projects started after India’s independence. |
| 14. | Rangit dam | Sikkim; on Ranjit river | 2000 | Highest dam of Sikkim |
| 15. | Bansagar | MP; in Sone river | 2006 | — |
| 16. | Indra Sagar dam | MP; on Narmada river | 2005 | It is the largest reservoir in India |
| 17. | Mukkombu Dam | TN; on Kaveri river | 1838 | It is the smallest dam in India. |
| 18. | Nathpa Jhakri | Himachal Pradesh; on Satluj river | 1993 | Comprises 6 turbines for hydropower generation |
| 19. | Omkareshwar | Odisha; on Indravati river | 1996 | — |
| 20. | Karcham Wangtoo | Himachal Pradesh; on Satluj river | 2005 | — |
FAQs
Q. Which is the first hydropower plant of India?
Ans. Shivanasamudra
Q. Which is the first major multipurpose river valley projects started after India’s independence?
Ans. Hirakud dam.
Q. Which is the largest reservoir in India?
Ans. Indra Sagar dam
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