Major Dams and Reservoirs in India. India, often referred to as the “land of rivers,” has abundant natural water resources, making it ideal for constructing large dams and reservoirs. Due to its geographical diversity – with the Himalayas in the north, the plateaus in central India, and the Western and Eastern Ghats in the south – India has become a hub for dam infrastructure. These dams play crucial roles in water supply, irrigation, hydroelectric power, and flood control. This guide provides a detailed overview of the most important dams and reservoirs in India, along with their purposes, types, and regional significance, which are essential for general knowledge and competitive exams like UPSC, State PSC, SSC, and Banking.
Overview of Dams in India
India has built over 4,300 large dams, placing it among the top dam-constructing nations globally. Dams and reservoirs are essential not only for agriculture and water supply but also for energy generation and flood control. Here, we summarize the most significant dams in India by length, height, and historical importance.
Top 10 Longest Dams in India
The length of a dam is essential for storing large water volumes and controlling river flow effectively. Below are some of the longest dams in India:
| Dam Name | Location (State) | River | Length (km) |
| Hirakud Dam | Odisha | Mahanadi | 25.79 |
| Nagarjuna Sagar Dam | Andhra Pradesh/Telangana | Krishna | 1.55 |
| Sardar Sarovar Dam | Gujarat | Narmada | 1.21 |
| Bhakra Nangal Dam | Himachal Pradesh/Punjab | Sutlej | 0.52 |
| Indira Sagar Dam | Madhya Pradesh | Narmada | 0.65 |
| Mettur Dam | Tamil Nadu | Kaveri | 1.7 |
| Rihand Dam | Uttar Pradesh | Rihand and Son Rivers | 0.94 |
| Ukai Dam | Gujarat | Tapti | 1.44 |
| Maithon Dam | Jharkhand | Barakar | 0.96 |
| Koyna Dam | Maharashtra | Koyna | 0.86 |
Highest Dams in India
Height is crucial for dams that are meant for hydroelectric power, as higher dams allow for greater water pressure, thus generating more electricity. Here are the highest dams in India:
| Dam Name | Location (State) | River | Height (meters) |
| Tehri Dam | Uttarakhand | Bhagirathi | 260.5 |
| Bhakra Nangal Dam | Himachal Pradesh | Sutlej | 226 |
| Sardar Sarovar Dam | Gujarat | Narmada | 163 |
| Ranjit Sagar Dam | Punjab | Ravi | 160 |
| Indira Sagar Dam | Madhya Pradesh | Narmada | 92 |
| Koyna Dam | Maharashtra | Koyna | 103 |
| Idukki Dam | Kerala | Periyar | 168.9 |
| Nagarjuna Sagar Dam | Telangana | Krishna | 124.5 |
| Chamera Dam | Himachal Pradesh | Ravi | 140 |
| Hirakud Dam | Odisha | Mahanadi | 60.96 |
Oldest Dams in India
India’s long history of dam construction began with early civilizations, leading to several ancient structures that are still operational today. Here are some of the oldest dams in India:
| Dam Name | Location (State) | River | Built | Significance |
| Kallanai Dam | Tamil Nadu | Kaveri | 100 BC – 100 AD | Oldest functional dam in the world, built by the Chola kings. |
| Krishna Raja Sagara | Karnataka | Kaveri | 1932 | Built by Sir M. Visvesvaraya, used for irrigation and water supply. |
| Mettur Dam | Tamil Nadu | Kaveri | 1934 | Significant for irrigation in Tamil Nadu’s delta region. |
| Bhakra Nangal Dam | Himachal Pradesh | Sutlej | 1963 | One of the first multipurpose river valley projects in India. |
| Hirakud Dam | Odisha | Mahanadi | 1957 | Provides flood control, irrigation, and hydroelectricity. |
Major Dams in India by Region
India’s vast territory is divided into regions that utilize dam resources differently, focusing on irrigation, hydroelectricity, and water storage.
Northern India
- Bhakra Nangal Dam (Himachal Pradesh and Punjab): Located on the Sutlej River, it serves as a major source of water for irrigation in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
- Tehri Dam (Uttarakhand): The tallest dam in India, built on the Bhagirathi River, it provides electricity, water for irrigation, and flood control.
Central India
- Indira Sagar Dam (Madhya Pradesh): Built on the Narmada River, this dam supports one of the largest reservoirs and provides water for irrigation and hydroelectricity.
- Bargi Dam (Madhya Pradesh): Part of the Narmada Valley Development Project, it supports irrigation and water supply for nearby cities.
Western India
- Sardar Sarovar Dam (Gujarat): Built on the Narmada River, it supplies water for irrigation, drinking, and hydroelectric power.
- Ukai Dam (Gujarat): Positioned on the Tapti River, it provides water for irrigation and supports the Ukai Thermal Power Station.
Southern India
- Nagarjuna Sagar Dam (Andhra Pradesh/Telangana): Built on the Krishna River, this massive dam provides irrigation, drinking water, and hydroelectric power.
- Mullaperiyar Dam (Kerala): A masonry dam on the Periyar River, it diverts water to Tamil Nadu and supports agriculture.
Eastern India
- Hirakud Dam (Odisha): The longest dam in India, spanning 25.79 km on the Mahanadi River, provides flood control, irrigation, and hydroelectricity.
- Rengali Dam (Odisha): Positioned on the Brahmani River, it provides irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power.
Key Uses of Dams in India
- Water Supply for Domestic and Industrial Use: Dams ensure a stable water supply for drinking and industrial processes, especially in urban areas.
- Irrigation: Many regions in India rely on dams to irrigate millions of hectares, supporting agriculture and food security.
- Hydroelectric Power: Dams harness water pressure to produce electricity, a renewable energy source crucial for India’s growing population.
- Flood Control: Dams help manage river flow, reducing flood risks in vulnerable areas, especially during the monsoon season.
- Tourism and Recreation: Reservoirs attract tourism and recreational activities like fishing, boating, and bird watching, supporting local economies.
- Transportation: Some dams allow for river navigation, providing a cheaper transportation method for goods in certain regions.
Major Reservoirs in India
Reservoirs store water from rivers for various uses, including drinking, irrigation, and hydroelectricity. Here’s a list of some of the largest reservoirs in India.
| Reservoir Name | State | River | Significance |
| Gobind Sagar Reservoir | Himachal Pradesh | Sutlej | Supports the Bhakra Dam, supplies irrigation. |
| Hirakud Reservoir | Odisha | Mahanadi | Supports flood control, irrigation, and power. |
| Indira Sagar Reservoir | Madhya Pradesh | Narmada | Largest reservoir by capacity, supports irrigation. |
| Tehri Reservoir | Uttarakhand | Bhagirathi | Provides water storage and flood control. |
| Idukki Reservoir | Kerala | Periyar | Largest arch dam reservoir, supports hydroelectricity. |
Detailed Overview of Key Dams
- Hirakud Dam
- Location: Odisha
- River: Mahanadi
- Length: 25.79 km
- Built: 1957
- Purpose: Irrigation, flood control, hydroelectric power
- Significance: Longest dam in India; supports agriculture and controls flooding in Odisha.
- Tehri Dam
- Location: Uttarakhand
- River: Bhagirathi
- Height: 260.5 meters
- Built: 2006
- Purpose: Power generation, water supply, irrigation
- Significance: Highest dam in India, providing clean energy and water supply to the region.
- Sardar Sarovar Dam
- Location: Gujarat
- River: Narmada
- Height: 163 meters
- Built: 2017
- Purpose: Water supply, irrigation, hydroelectric power
- Significance: Supports water supply in arid regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan, enabling agriculture.
- Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
- Location: Andhra Pradesh/Telangana
- River: Krishna
- Length: 1.55 km
- Built: 1967
- Purpose: Irrigation, hydroelectric power
- Significance: Supports irrigation in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, providing drinking water and hydroelectric power.
- Bhakra Nangal Dam
- Location: Himachal Pradesh/Punjab
- River: Sutlej
- Height: 226 meters
- Built: 1963
- Purpose: Irrigation, hydroelectric power
- Significance: An iconic multi-purpose project, aiding irrigation, flood control, and electricity generation.
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FAQs on Major Dams and Reservoirs in India
The longest dam in India is Hirakud Dam in Odisha, spanning 25.79 km across the Mahanadi River.
The highest dam in India is Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand, with a height of 260.5 meters on the Bhagirathi River.
Kallanai Dam on the Kaveri River in Tamil Nadu is the oldest dam in India, built around 100 BC – 100 AD.
Maharashtra has the highest number of dams in India.
Dams in India are primarily used for irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, water supply, flood control, and recreational activities.
Indira Sagar Dam in Madhya Pradesh has the largest reservoir capacity among Indian dams.
Bhakra Nangal Dam on the Sutlej River is often called the ‘Pride of India’ due to its multipurpose benefits.
The Hirakud Dam was built primarily for flood control, irrigation, and hydroelectric power production.
The Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam on the Kaveri River in Karnataka was designed by Sir M. Visvesvaraya.
Tehri Dam is a rock and earth-fill embankment dam.
The Bhakra Nangal Dam provides water to the Indira Gandhi Canal (Rajasthan Canal), supporting irrigation in Rajasthan.
The Krishna River has multiple dams constructed on it, including Srisailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, and Almatti Dams.
Bhakra Dam in Himachal Pradesh is the highest concrete gravity dam in India.
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam on the Krishna River is the second-largest masonry dam in Asia.
Bhakra Nangal Dam forms the Gobind Sagar Reservoir in Himachal Pradesh.
Dams regulate river flow, storing excess water during heavy rainfall and releasing it gradually to prevent flooding.
Bhakra Nangal Dam is located on the border between Himachal Pradesh and Punjab.
