India, a country with many rivers, has enormous potential for building dams because of its topographical characteristics. India has previously built a significant number of water reservoirs and dams, with about 4300 big dams already built. In addition, there are several ongoing initiatives for building major dams in India.
In this article, we have compiled a list of the major dams in India, along with the highest, oldest, and most significant dams in India. Aspirants of various exams must know this list as it is an important topic for competitive exams, including the UPSC, State PSC, SSC, and bank exams.
What are Dams?
A dam is a structure that, in essence, creates a reservoir by halting the flow of water. The primary purpose of dams is, ultimately, to harness this water to generate energy. In particular, hydroelectricity is the name given to this type of electricity, which plays a vital role in sustainable energy production. Consequently, dams not only provide energy but also contribute to water management and flood control. Therefore, they are crucial infrastructures in modern society.
Dams produce reservoirs that not only prevent flooding but also supply water for uses including agriculture, industry, aquaculture, navigation, and human consumption.
Major Dams in India: Map
Below is a map of all the major dams in India:
List of the Major Dams in India
The major dams in India have benefited its people in many ways, including:
- Supplying enough water for irrigation, industry, and household uses.
- River navigation and the generation of hydroelectric power.
- Offer boating and fishing recreation places.
- Contributed to fewer floods.
Below is a compiled list of the major dams in India:
| Name of the Dam | State Name | River Name |
| Nizam Sagar Dam | Telangana | Manjira River |
| Somasila Dam | Andhra Pradesh | Pennar River |
| Srisailam Dam | Andhra Pradesh | Krishna River |
| Singur dam | Telangana | Manjira River |
| Ukai Dam | Gujarat | Tapti River |
| Dharoi Dam | Gujarat | Sabarmati River |
| Kadana dam | Gujarat | Mahi River |
| Dantiwada Dam | Gujarat | Banas River |
| Pandoh Dam | Himachal Pradesh | Beas River |
| Bhakra Nangal Dam | Himachal Pradesh and Punjab Border | Sutlej River |
| Nathpa Jhakri Dam | Himachal Pradesh | Satluj River |
| Chamera Dam | Himachal Pradesh | Ravi River |
| Baglihar Dam | Jammu and Kashmir | Chenab River |
| Dumkhar Hydroelectric Dam | Jammu and Kashmir | Indus River |
| Uri Hydroelectric Dam | Jammu and Kashmir | Jhelum River |
| Maithon Dam | Jharkhand | Barakar River |
| Chandil Dam | Jharkhand | Swarnarekha River |
| Panchet Dam | Jharkhand | Damodar River |
| Tunga Bhadra Dam | Karnataka | Tungabhadra River |
| Linganamakki dam | Karnataka | Sharavathi River |
| Kadra Dam | Karnataka | Kalinadi River |
| Alamatti Dam | Karnataka | Krishna River |
| Supa Dam | Karnataka | Kalinadi or Kali river |
| Krishna Raja Sagara Dam | Karnataka | Kaveri River |
| Harangi Dam | Karnataka | Harangi River |
| Narayanpur Dam | Karnataka | Krishna River |
| Kodasalli Dam | Karnataka | Kali River |
| Malampuzha Dam | Kerala | Malampuzha River |
| Peechi Dam | Kerala | Manali River |
| Idukki Dam | Kerala | Periyar River |
| Kundala Dam | Kerala | Kundala Lake |
| Parambikulam Dam | Kerala | Parambikulam River |
| Walayar Dam | Kerala | Walayar River |
| Mullaperiyar Dam | Kerala | Periyar River |
| Neyyar Dam | Kerala | Neyyar River |
| Rajghat Dam | Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh Border | Betwa River |
| Barna Dam | Madhya Pradesh | Barna River |
| Bargi Dam | Madhya Pradesh | Narmada River |
| Bansagar Dam | Madhya Pradesh | Sone River |
| Gandhi Sagar Dam | Madhya Pradesh | Chambal River |
| Yeldari Dam | Maharashtra | Purna river |
| Ujani Dam | Maharashtra | Bhima River |
| Pawna Dam | Maharashtra | Maval River |
| Mulshi Dam | Maharashtra | Mula River |
| Koyna Dam | Maharashtra | Koyna River |
| Jayakwadi Dam | Maharashtra | Godavari River |
| Bhatsa Dam | Maharashtra | Bhatsa river |
| Wilson Dam | Maharashtra | Pravara River |
| Tansa Dam | Maharashtra | Tansa river |
| Panshet Dam | Maharashtra | Ambi River |
| Mula Dam | Maharashtra | Mula river |
| Kolkewadi Dam | Maharashtra | Vashishti River |
| Girna Dam | Maharashtra | Girana river |
| Vaitarna Dam | Maharashtra | Vaitarna river |
| Radhanagari Dam | Telangana | Bhogawati River |
| Lower Manair Dam | Telangana | Manair River |
| Mid Manair Dam | Telangana | Manair River and SRSP Flood Flow Canal |
| Upper Manair Dam | Telangana | Manair River and Kudlair River |
| Khadakwasla Dam | Maharashtra | Mutha River |
| Gangapur Dam | Maharashtra | Godavari river |
| Jalaput Dam | Andhra Pradesh and Odisha Border | Machkund River |
| Indravati Dam | Odisha | Indravati River |
| Hirakud Dam | Odisha | Mahanadi River |
| Vaigai Dam | Tamil Nadu | Vaigai River |
| Perunchani Dam | Tamil Nadu | Paralayar River |
| Mettur Dam | Tamil Nadu | Kaveri River |
| Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar Dam / Rihand Dam | Uttar Pradesh | Rihand River |
| Tehri Dam | Uttarakhand | Bhagirathi River |
| Dhauli Ganga Dam | Uttarakhand | Dhauli Ganga River |
What is the Longest Dam in India?
With a total length of 25.79 km, Hirakud Dam is, notably, the longest dam in India. Moreover, it is located in the Sambalpur district of Odisha state, specifically on the Mahanadi River. Interestingly, it was completed in 1953, marking a significant milestone in engineering. Furthermore, this dam has an impressive total reservoir capacity of 47,79,965 acre-feet. Additionally, this type of dam is classified as a composite dam, demonstrating the advanced construction techniques employed in its design.
What is the Highest Dam in India?
Tehri Dam is not only the highest dam in India, but it is also the 12th-tallest dam globally, standing at an impressive height of 260.5 meters. The Tehri Dam sits on the Bhagirathi River in New Tehri, which is in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand state, India. Furthermore, the Tehri Dam measures a significant 575 meters in length and reaches a remarkable height of 260 meters. Importantly, the initial phase of the Tehri Dam was completed in 2006. Additionally, it is a crucial part of the Tehri hydropower complex operated by THDC India Ltd., contributing to the country’s energy needs.
What is the Oldest Dam in India?
The oldest dam in India is the Kallanai Dam on the Kaveri River. India’s oldest dam is situated in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district. The Tamil Nadu government currently runs the Kallanai Dam, which was finished between 100 BC and 100 AD.
What are the Uses of Dams in India?
Below are some of the way the major dams in India benefits society:
- Supplying enough water for urban and residential consumption.
- Provision of water for agriculture.
- Numerous businesses, the generation of hydroelectric power, and river navigation—the least expensive mode of transportation—all require water.
- Many people rely on dams for their livelihoods since they are used for boating and fishing.
- They are helpful in flood situations and in regulating river flow.
List of the Reservoirs in India
Reservoirs are lakes, either man-made or natural, formed by dams in India to store freshwater.
Below are the main reservoirs of India.
| Name of the Reservoir | State | River |
| Dindi Reservoir | Telangana | Krishna River |
| Lower Manair Reservoir | Telangana | Manair River |
| Tatipudi Reservoir Project | Andhra Pradesh | Gosthani River |
| Gandipalem Reservoir | Andhra Pradesh | Manneru River |
| Himayat Sagar Reservoir | Telangana | Osman Sagar |
| Shriram Sagar Reservoir | Telangana | Godavari River |
| Gobind Sagar Reservoir | Himachal Pradesh | Sutlej River |
| Maharana Pratap Sagar Reservoir | Himachal Pradesh | Pong Dam Lake |
| Ghataprabha Reservoir | Karnataka | Ghataprabha River |
| Hemavathi Reservoir | Karnataka | Hemavati River |
| Tawa Reservoir | Madhya Pradesh | Tawa River |
| Balimela Reservoir | Odisha | Sileru River |
| Aliyar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Aliyar River |
| Chittar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Chittar River |
| Krishnagiri Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Thenpennai River |
| Manimuthar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Tamirabarani River |
| Pechiparai Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Kodayar River |
| Shoolagiri Chinnar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Chinnar River |
| Thunakadavu Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Thunacadavu River |
| Varattu Pallam Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Kaveri River |
| Vidur Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Sankaraparani River |
| Amaravathi Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Amaravathi River |
| Gundar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Berijam Lake |
| Kullursandai Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Arjuna Nadi |
| Pambar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Pambar River |
| Periyar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Periyar River |
| Stanley Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Kaveri River |
| Uppar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Uppar River |
| Vattamalaikarai Odai Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Odai River |
| Willingdon Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Periya Odai River |
| Bhavanisagar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Bhavani River |
| Kodaganar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Kodagananar River |
| Manimukthanadhi Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Krishna River |
| Parambikulam Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Parambikulam River |
| Sholayar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Chalakkud River |
| Thirumurthi Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Parmabikulam and Aliyar River |
| Varadamanadhi Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Aliyar River |
| Vembakottai Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Vaippar River |
| Manjalar Reservoir | Tamil Nadu | Manjalar River |
| Salal Project | Jammu and Kashmir | Chenab River |
| Chutak Hydroelectric Project | Jammu and Kashmir | Suru River |
| Indirasagar Project | Madhya Pradesh | Narmada River |
| Narmada Dam Project | Madhya Pradesh | Narmada River |
| Rihand Project | Uttar Pradesh | Rihand River and Son River |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the major dams in India are important for controlling floods, producing hydroelectric electricity, and for agriculture. These dams, therefore, highlight the importance of sustainable resource management, and they are also prime examples of engineering accomplishments. Moreover, maintaining these dams will be crucial to guaranteeing water security while simultaneously fostering future development, especially as we face various environmental issues. Thus, investing in their upkeep not only supports our current needs but also paves the way for long-term sustainability.
Frequently Asked Questions
The largest dam in India is the Tehri dam on the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand.
The longest dam in India is the Hirakud dam on the Mahanadi River in Odisha.
Kallanai Dam on the Kaveri River is the oldest in India. Karikala Cholan of the Chola Dynasty built it in 100 BC –100 AD.
Bhakra Nangal Dam is on the Setluj River.
Rihand Dam is in Uttar Pradesh.
