{"id":14104,"date":"2026-07-04T16:40:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T11:10:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/?post_type=academic_content&#038;p=14104"},"modified":"2026-07-04T16:40:40","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T11:10:40","slug":"major-dams","status":"publish","type":"academic_content","link":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/major-dams\/","title":{"rendered":"Major Dams in India: List, Names, Significance, River &amp; State-wise"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Major Dams in India: Dams in India constitute one of the largest networks in the world and serve crucial functions in irrigation, hydropower generation, flood mitigation, provision of drinking water and integrated water resource management. As per the<\/span><b> National Register of Large Dams (NRLD)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> 2023 published by Central Water Commission, <\/span><b>India has at present 6,138 completed large dams<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> and<\/span><b> 143 large dams under construction<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, making the total around to142 Large dams. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Since Independence, these Major Dams have been instrumental in agricultural advancement, progress of industries and ensuring water security for the nation. <\/span><b>Tehri Dam, Bhakra Nangal, Hirakud and Sardar Sarovar dams<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> are among the major dams\u00a0projects that continue to play a vital role in the economic progress of India as well as the sustainable management of water resources.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Key Facts of Major Dams in India<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Total Large Dams:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> India has 6138 completed and 143 under-construction Major Dams\u00a0 large dams as per the National Register of Large Dams (NRLD) 2023, maintained by Central Water Commission (CWC).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Tallest Dam:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Tehri Dam (Uttarakhand) \u2013 260.5 m above the river bed at Bhagirathi River<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Longest Dam:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Hirakud Dam, Odisha \u2013 25.8 km (includes dykes); River Mahanadi<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Earliest Currently Functional Dam: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kallanai (Grand Anicut), either built by Karikala Chola on the (Kaveri) River around 2nd CE.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Bhakra Dam (Himachal Pradesh):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Largest Concrete Gravity Dam in the World on Sutlej River.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Biggest Earthfill Dam<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> &#8211; Banasura Sagar Dam (Kerala) on river Karamanathodu<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>State with Highest Number of Completed Large Dams:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Maharashtra (Total 2394)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Check all major multipurpose dams:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Sardar Sarovar Dam (Gujarat) &#8211; Narmada Irrigation Water Supply &amp; Hydropower.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Authority Retained:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The National Register of Large Dams (NRLD) is maintained by the Central Water Commission (CWC), which also monitors dam safety in India.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">List of Major Dams in India<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These are large structures across rivers that store and regulate water. They provide irrigation, hydroelectricity generation, domestic potable water, flood control, navigation and industrial usage. These dams are either built as gravity, earth-fill, embankment or arch dams and constitute an integral part of water resource management and infrastructure development in India.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Major Dams in India (State-wise)<\/span><\/h3>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>State\/UT<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Dam Name<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>River<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Andhra Pradesh<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Srisailam Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Krishna<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Polavaram Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Godavari<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Gujarat<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sardar Sarovar Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Narmada<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ukai Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tapi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kadana Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mahi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dharoi Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sabarmati<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Himachal Pradesh<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bhakra Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sutlej<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pong Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Beas<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pandoh Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Beas<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Jharkhand<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Maithon Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Barakar<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Panchet Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Damodar<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Konar Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Konar<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tilaiya Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Barakar<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chandil Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Subarnarekha<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Jammu &amp; Kashmir<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Salal Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chenab<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Baglihar Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chenab<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Dul Hasti Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chenab<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Karnataka<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Almatti Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Krishna<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Narayanpur Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Krishna<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tungabhadra Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tungabhadra<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kaveri<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kabini Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kabini<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hemavathi Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hemavathi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Kerala<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Idukki Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Periyar<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mullaperiyar Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Periyar<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Banasura Sagar Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Karamanathodu<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cheruthoni Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cheruthoni<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Malampuzha Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Malampuzha<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Madhya Pradesh<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Indira Sagar Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Narmada<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Omkareshwar Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Narmada<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bargi Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Narmada<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gandhi Sagar Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chambal<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tawa Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tawa<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Matatila Dam*<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Betwa<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Maharashtra<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Koyna Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Koyna<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jayakwadi Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Godavari<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ujani Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bhima<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Isapur Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Penganga<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Odisha<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hirakud Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mahanadi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rengali Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Brahmani<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Punjab<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ranjit Sagar (Thein) Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ravi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Rajasthan<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rana Pratap Sagar Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chambal<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Jawahar Sagar Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chambal<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mahi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bisalpur Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Banas<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Tamil Nadu<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mettur Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kaveri<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kallanai (Grand Anicut)<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kaveri<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vaigai Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vaigai<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bhavanisagar Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bhavani<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Telangana<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nagarjuna Sagar Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Krishna<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Srisailam Dam*<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Krishna<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sri Ram Sagar Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Godavari<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Uttar Pradesh<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rihand Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rihand<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Matatila Dam*<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Betwa<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Uttarakhand<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Tehri Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Bhagirathi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>West Bengal<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Durgapur Barrage<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Damodar<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mayurakshi Dam<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mayurakshi<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>Also Read &#8211; Major Dams<\/h2>\n<table style=\"width: 100%;border-collapse: collapse;text-align: center\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #000\"><a style=\"color: #393fd7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/yamuna-river-system-upsc-notes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Yamuna River System<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #000\"><a style=\"color: #393fd7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/son-river-origin-upsc-notes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Son River<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #000\"><a style=\"color: #393fd7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/ganga-river-system-upsc-notes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ganga River System<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #000\"><a style=\"color: #393fd7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/jhelum-river\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jhelum River System<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #000\"><a style=\"color: #393fd7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/indus-river\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indus River System<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #000\"><a style=\"color: #393fd7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/godavari-river-system-upsc-notes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Godavari River System<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #000\"><a style=\"color: #393fd7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/brahmaputra-river-system-upsc-notes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Brahmaputra River System<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #000\"><a style=\"color: #393fd7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/indian-river-systems-upsc-notes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Indian River Systems<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #000000\"><a style=\"color: #393fd7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/kaveri-river\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Kaveri River<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #000\"><a style=\"color: #393fd7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/narmada-river\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Narmada River Explained<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #000\"><a style=\"color: #393fd7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/krishna-river\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Krishna River System<\/a><\/td>\n<td style=\"padding: 12px;border: 1px solid #000\"><a style=\"color: #393fd7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/sutlej-river\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sutlej River System<\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Significance of Major Dams in India<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As defined by the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Ministry of Jal Shakti, large dams are multipurpose water resource projects providing benefits across multiple sectors including irrigation, hydropower, flood management, water supply and regional development. Their key significance includes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Agriculture:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Ensures water supply, increases cropping intensity and food security.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Hydroelectric Power:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Produces renewable electricity, minimises fossil fuel reliance, supports India&#8217;s transition to clean energy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Flood Mitigation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Absorbs additional monsoon water, which helps prevent flooding in downstream locations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Drinking-water Supply:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Ensures a consistent supply of safe drinking water to urban and rural populations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Industrial Water Supply:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Supply of required water for industries, thermal power plants and manufacturing units<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Conservation of water for the rainy season and to take advantage of it during dry periods and droughts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Recharge of Groundwater:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Helps recharge aquifers and enhances groundwater availability to areas nearby.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>River Regulation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Regulate river flows for effective and sustainable water resource management.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Fisheries Development:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Reservoirs foster inland fisheries, providing jobs and enhancing food production.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Navigation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Certain reservoirs and controlled streams optimise inland water shipping.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Tourism &amp; Recreation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Large reservoirs are conducive to tourism, boating, water sports and eco-tourism activities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Regional Development:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Promotes Rural development, employment and infrastructure development in the surrounding areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Environmental Dimensions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Preservation of environmental flows, enrichment through afforestation around reservoirs and climate resilience through sound water management.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Environmental, Social and Economic Impacts of Major Dams<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Ecological Disruption of Rivers:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Modifies natural river flows, impacting aquatic life and biodiversity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Loss of Forests and Wildlife Habitat:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Loss of Submerged Forests and Wildlife Habitat, where the creation of reservoirs may submerge forests or wetlands and important wildlife habitats.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Sedimentation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Sediment deposition reduces reservoir volume capacity and affects land soil fertility downstream.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Changes in Water Quality:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Changes the temperature, oxygen levels, and distribution of nutrients (so you have changes in water quality categories) of rivers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Impact on Fish Migration:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Prevents the passage of migratory fish species, disrupting reproductive cycles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Greenhouse Gas Emissions:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Methane is released from some reservoirs as vegetation decomposes beneath the water surface.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Social Impacts &#8211; Major Dams<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Relocation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Large dam projects often necessitate relocation of families and communities that have been affected.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Changes in Livelihood:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Tidal and river flow changes can affect fishers and farmers dependent on rivers and forests.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Better Water Security:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Provides large-scale access to safe drinking water and irrigation for millions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Employment Generation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It provides jobs during the dam construction and operational and maintenance work as well as in related sectors.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Regional Development:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Better infrastructure, roads, electricity and public services in the vicinity.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Economic Impacts &#8211; Major Dams<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Investing in Agricultural Growth:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Improves irrigation facilities, increases crop yields and boosts food security.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Hydropower Generation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Produces renewable electricity and reduces reliance on traditional energy sources.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Flood Damage Reduction:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Reduces the economic impact of flooding by controlling water.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Industrial Development:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Ensures a reliable water supply for industry and manufacturing.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Tourism &amp; Fisheries:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Reservoirs are a source of tourism, recreation, domestic fishing and local commercial activities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Long-Term water storage:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Improves access to water in droughts, supporting the economy sustainably.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">FAQs on Major Dams in India<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"cfaq-wrapper\" data-multiple=\"0\"><div class=\"cfaq-item cfaq-open\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"true\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">1. How many large dams are there in India?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\"><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">According to the National Register of Large Dams (NRLD 2023) published by the Central Water Commission (CWC), India has 6,138 completed large dams and 143 dams under construction, making a total of 6,281 large dams.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">2. Which is the highest dam in India?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand is the highest dam in India, with a height of 260.5 metres. It is built across the Bhagirathi River.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">3. Which is the longest dam in India?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">Hirakud Dam in Odisha is the longest dam in India, with a total length of approximately 25.8 km (including dykes). It is built on the Mahanadi River.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">4. Which state has the highest number of large dams in India?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><div><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">Maharashtra has the highest number of large dams in India, with 2,394 completed large dams, according to the NRLD 2023.<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"cfaq-item\"><button class=\"cfaq-question\" aria-expanded=\"false\"><span class=\"cfaq-question-text\">5. Which river has the highest number of major dams in India?<\/span><span class=\"cfaq-icon\"><\/span><\/button><div class=\"cfaq-answer\" hidden><div class=\"cfaq-answer-inner\"><span style=\"font-size: 12.35px\">The Krishna River and the Narmada River have several major multipurpose dam projects, including Nagarjuna Sagar, Srisailam, Almatti (Krishna) and Sardar Sarovar, Indira Sagar, and Omkareshwar (Narmada).<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Major Dams in India: Dams in India constitute one of the largest networks in the world and serve crucial functions in irrigation, hydropower generation, flood mitigation, provision of drinking water and integrated water resource management. As per the National Register of Large Dams (NRLD) 2023 published by Central Water Commission, India has at present 6,138 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":14114,"template":"","subject":[45],"class_list":["post-14104","academic_content","type-academic_content","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","subject-geography"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/academic_content\/14104","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/academic_content"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/academic_content"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14114"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14104"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"subject","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.class24.study\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/subject?post=14104"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}