Top 10 Largest and Highest Dams in India

In India, Agriculture is known to be the backbone of our economy. It plays a significant role not only from the economical aspect but has a deep-rooted influence on our political, social and cultural life.

Agriculture depends majorly on water. Moreover, water is the most crucial resource a living being needs to survive. To sustain life in dryer days, proper storage of water is essential during monsoons.

In this process of storage and management of water resources, biggest and Highest dams and water reservoirs of India come into the picture.

India ranks 3rd throughout the globe for the largest dams after US and China. While some of these biggest dams were constructed for flood control, water supply, and hydroelectric power generation, the primary purpose of most of these dams remains irrigation.

Some of the top biggest dams in India are mentioned here.

Biggest Dams In India

List of Top 10 Largest Dams in India 2020:

1. Tehri Dam

Tehri dam

The Tehri Dam is the Highest dams in India with a height of 261 m and a length of 575 meters. It also ranks as the 8th tallest dam in the world.

Tehri Dam is built across the Bhagirathi River. It is located in Uttarakhand.

It has the reservoir capacity of 3,200,000 acres.

According to The Tehri Dam Project, it withholds a capacity of providing water to almost 40 lakhs of people living in Delhi and 30 lakhs of people living around Uttar Pradesh.

The dam is expected to generate about 2400 megawatts of electricity throughout Uttrakhand.

The dam not only generates electricity for entire Uttarakhand but also, is the primary resource for fisheries and tourism sector.

Thus, Tehri dam is a boon for the residents living in Uttarakhand as it provides employment opportunities in large number.

This dam has three phases, and only one is entirely constructed while the other two are upcoming soon.

Also Read: Top 30 Longest Rivers in India

2. Bhakra Nangal Dam

Bhakra Nangal dam

Bhakra Nangal Dam is built across the Sutlej River, which flows through Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

It is the second biggest dam on the Asian continent. This big dam is bestowed with a height of 226 meters and a length of 520 meters.

It has the 2nd largest reservoir volume capacity in India.

The area covered by this biggest dam is approximately 7,501,775 acres and has the second largest reservoir capacity in India. It produces a reservoir capacity of 1,375 megawatts.

The enormous height of this dam and the breath-taking scenic beauty attracts tourists from all over India.

Nangal Dam is another dam in close proximity to Bhakra Dam. However, both are clubbed as Bhakra-Nangal Dam though they are two separate dams.

The vast reservoir of this dam is the home to countless aquatic life, thus making it a reliable source of livelihood for the local fishermen.

Apart from electricity and fisheries, water from this reservoir is used for irrigational purposes for Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan states.

3. Sardar Sarovar Dam

Sardar Sarovar dam

Sardar Sarovar Dam is built across the Narmada River in Gujarat.

It is one of the major dams in the world regarding its volume as well as size. It exhibits a significant height of 138.6 m. And a length of 163 meters.

Sarovar Dam is the largest structure to be built across Narmada River as it is a part of Narmada Valley Project which facilitates as a multi-purpose dam.

The reservoir capacity of this dam is around 7,701,775 acres. This biggest dam serves for states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra for irrigation and electricity

This dam has been inaugurated in the year of 2017 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It houses a powerhouse that has a capacity of 1450 megawatts and also produces electricity to pump water for the nearby farmlands.

This dam is a blessing to the drought-prone areas and convenience to transportation facilities around the region.

4. Hirakud Dam

Hirakud dam

Hirakud Dam is constructed across the Mahanadi River and is situated in the Indian state of Odisha.

This dam was built in the year of 1957 and is renowned as the first multi-purpose serving dam that is constructed in India post-independence.

It bears a height of 60.96 meters and length of 25.8 kilometres with an artificial lake of 743 square kilometres which is considered to be Asia’s biggest artificial lake.

The reservoir capacity of this dam is around 4,779,965 acres.

It is one of the biggest dams throughout the world and acts as flood control for nearby areas around Mahanadi delta.

It generates 347.5 megawatts of electricity to all the near-by areas around Mahanadi River.

The fun fact to know about this dam is that it is constructed between two hills which makes it one of the must visit place for the tourist all around the globe.

So tourist gets to witness the mesmerizing scenic beauty and wildlife around it.

5. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam

Nagarjuna sagar dam

It is one of the famous dams in India. It is constructed across the Krishna River, located in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

The dam was built between 1955 and 1967 inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru with a height of 124 meters and length of 1550 meters. Its reservoir capacity is 9×106 acres, which is the second biggest reservoir in India.

It is one of the oldest and biggest multi-purpose and hydro-electric dam projects in India.

The water and electricity provisions to districts like Nalgonda, Guntur, Krishna, Suryapet and other parts of West Godavari is taken care of by this dam.

It produces 816 Megawatts of Electricity to all the areas around Krishna River.

The dam is known for its gigantic size and mind-blowing architecture along with the technological triumphs. It is surrounded by lush greenery which makes it a prominent tourist place.

Thus, it is a favourite weekend getaway in the monsoon for residents staying in Hyderabad and other nearby areas.

The island with the name Nagarjuna Konda is a must visit the place by all the tourists as it also withholds a museum as well.

6. Cheruthoni Dam

Cheruthoni dam

Cheruthoni dam is constructed on the Cheruthoni River is one of the renowned dams near Idukki district in the state of Kerala.

This dam ranks 3rd position acre height among all the Indian dams. It is conferred with a height of 454 feet and length of 650.9 meters.  It is the part of Idukki Hydroelectric Project.

The reservoir capacity of this dam is about 1,618,184 acre which is good enough for the nearby areas of Idukki district. Cheruthony is the largest gravity dam in Kerala.

It also includes a fantastic wildlife sanctuary in its vicinity along with the other attractive places to visit for tourist all around the world.

This dam along with a nearby dam named Idukki will be opened in connection with the Onam festival for the people of Kerala.

This biggest dam offers one of the best sightseeing places like Calvery mount and the Hill view park.

One of the significant benefits of this dam is that it has a topographical location which adds value to the tourism of Kerala state throughout the year.

Also Read: List of Top Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

7. Indira Sagar Dam

Indira Sagar dam

Indira Sagar dam is constructed across the Narmada River, which is situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh bearing height of 92 meters and length of 653 meters.

The dam is built as a joint venture firm between Madhya Pradesh irrigation and National Hydroelectric power corporation. It was inaugurated by former Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi in the year 1983.

The reservoir capacity of this dam is about 9,890,701 acre.

The dam is famous as the biggest reservoir in India amongst all the dams across the country.

It generates 1000 megawatts of Electricity to areas like Narmada Nagar, Mundi in the Khandwa district and other nearby regions of Madhya Pradesh

One of the best features of Indira Sagar Dam is its remarkable water storing capacity and its ability to serves giant farmlands with irrigation of crops.

8. Krishnarajasagar Dam

Krishnarajasagar Dam

Krishnarajasagar dam is constructed across the river Kaveri and is located in Mysore, in the state of Karnataka.

It is one of the largest dams in south India exhibiting a height of 39.8m and a length of 2620 meters built in 1938.

The reservoir capacity of this dam is around 1,109,742 acre, and the water of this dam is used for irrigation in Mysore Mandya and other parts of Karnataka.

It is the primary source of drinking water for the entire city of Mysore, Mandya, and Bangalore, the big metropolitan city of Karnataka

One of the best places to witness in the vicinity of this dam is the Brindavan gardens. Its wide varieties of local and migrant birds are one of the major attractions.

From the last few years, nearly 220 species of birds have been recorded here in large numbers.

Thus, this feature makes this biggest dam one of the best tourist spots of Karnataka, especially for a bird-watching hobbyist.

Also Read: 10 Most Critically Endangered Species in India

9. Mettur Dam

Mettur dam

Mettur Dam is built across the river Kaveri, which flows in the Tamil Nadu state. It is one of the biggest dams in India and also the largest dam in the state of Tamil Nadu.

This dam is also one of the oldest dams of India built in 1934. It bears a height of 65 m. And 1,700 m.

The reservoir capacity of this dam is around 2,146,071 acre. It provides irrigation and drinking water provision for more than 12 districts of Tamil Nadu making it the primary source of living.

The most important purpose served by this biggest dam is that it has the largest power generating capacity in India.

At the foot of this dam, There is a park named Ellis Park.

The Park, the major hydroelectric power stations surrounding this biggest dam, and hills on all sides make the Mettur dam one of the best tourist places in India to explore for its natural scenic beauty.

10. Bisalpur Dam

Bisalpur dam

Bisalpur dam, the biggest dam of Rajasthan, is constructed across the river Banas, in the district named as Tonk.

It was built in 1999 with the aim of providing water and irrigation to the nearby parts of this enormously biggest dam.

Bisalpur dam is built in between two mountain cliff which makes it renowned for its unique architecture. It showcases height of 39.5 m. And a length of 574 m.

The reservoir capacity of this biggest dam is around 891,785 acre. It supplies water to Ajmer, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur and Tonk districts.

It generates electricity of 172 megawatts to the neighbouring areas of this big dam.

Many districts of Rajasthan rely on this dam for water, electricity and other basic needs. Thus making it a life-dependent resource of Rajasthan.

Bisalpur dam is well known for its mesmerizing beauty due to its natural habitat. Hence, it is considered to be one of the major attraction of Rajasthan.

The Conclusion

Today, these biggest dams in India not only plays a crucial role in facilitating the basic needs of humans but also are beneficial attributes for tourism, transportation, and many other industries. One should try visiting and exploring these important dams in India.

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