Largest Dams in India: 5 Biggest Dams in India Which Are Lifeline for Millions

Water is the main thing for any human being or living thing. Without water, man could not reach what it is today. To fulfill the requirement the growing water resources, time to time Government built dams across the each and every corner.

Before the Indian Independence, Royal States developed dams to fulfill their state water demand. In this article, Traveljee has compiled a list of the largest and biggest dams in India.

Largest Dams in India: 5 Biggest Dams in India Which Are Lifeline for Millions of People

1. Tehri Dam, Uttarakhand

Tehri Dam is the largest dam in India with a height of 260.5 m (855 ft). The construction of dam was started in 1978 and opened in 2006. It is owned by the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation, with 75% funding by the Central Government of India and 25% by the state. It is considered as one of the tallest dams in the world.

The project withholds a reservoir for irrigation, municipal water supply and the generation of 1,000 megawatts of hydroelectricity.

Fast Facts about Tehri Dam

Height: 260.5 m
Turbines: Vertical Francis Turbines
Construction Cost: US$1 billion
Owner: The Tehri Hydro Development Corporation
Power Station Installed Capacity: 1000 MW

2. Bhakra Dam, Himachal Pradesh

Bhakra Dam is built over the River Sutlej in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. Nangal dam is another dam downstream of Bhakra dam. Sometimes both the dams together are called Bhakra-Nangal dam though they are two separate dams.

The height of Bhakra Dam is 741 ft or about 226 m and 1700 ft in length. The construction cost is Rs. 245.28 crore in 1963. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state.

Fast Facts about Bhakra Dam

Height: 226 m
Reservoir Surface Area: 168.35 sq.km
Power Station Commission Date: 1960-1968
Power Station Installed Capacity: 1325 MW
Construction Cost: Rs. 245.28 crore in 1963

3. Sardar Sarovar Dam, Gujarat

Sardar Sarovar Dam is the third largest dams in India by height (foundation). The dam is being constructed on the River Narmada. It is located at Navagam, Gujarat. The dam is one of the most controversial dams in the Indian history.

The dam will be useful to provide water to drought prone areas of Saurashtra and Kutch. The dam will irrigate 17,920 sq. km of land spread over 12 districts, 3393 villages and 62 talukas.

Fast Facts about Sardar Sarovar Dam

Height (foundation): 163m
Owned by Narmada Control Authority
Power Station operated by Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited
Power Station Installed Capacity: 1450 MW
Length: 1210 m

4. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, Andhra Pradesh & Telangana

Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is the fourth largest dams in India with a height of 124 metres. The dam was planned by the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1903 to irrigate Telangana.

It is the best project in the state of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to increase the growth. The project benefited many districts such as Guntur, Krishna, Nalgonda, Khammam, and Prakasam.

Fast Facts about Nagarjuna Sagar Dam

Height: 124 m
Construction started: December 10, 1955
Construction Cost: Rs. 1300 crores
Inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru
Power Station Installed Capacity: 816 MW
Power Station Commission Date: 1978-1985

5. Hirakud Dam, Odisha

Hirakud Dam is located 15 km from Sambalpur, Odisha. The dam’s construction was started in 1948 and opened in 1957. The construction cost was Rs. 1.01 billion in 1957.

The dam was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru on January 13, 1957. The dam is 25.8 km in total length and have 347.5 MW installed capacity. There are a few islands are located within Hirakud Reservoir.

Fast Facts about Hirakud Dam

Height: 60.96 m
Construction Cost: Rs. 1.01 billion in 1957
Power Station Installed Capacity: 347.5 MW
Construction Started in 1948
Location: 15 km from Sambalpur, Odisha

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FAQs

Q1: Which one is the largest dam in India?
Answer: Tehri Dam Uttarakhand is the largest dam in India.

Q2: Which state has more dams in India?
Answer: Maharashtra has the large number of dams in India. They have 1845 dams in the state.

Q3: Which one of the following is the longest river dams in India?
Answer: Bhakhra Dam

Q4: Which is the highest dam in India?
Answer: Tehri Dam is the highest dan in India. It is also the biggest and largest dam in India.

Article Title: Largest Dams in India: 5 Biggest Dams in India Which Are Lifeline for Millions of People
Article last re-published on February 17, 2019.