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 Page 1


Major Multi Purpose Projects in India 
 
 
 
Major Multi-Purpose Projects in India 
 
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Major Multi Purpose Projects in India 
 
 
 
Major Multi-Purpose Projects in India 
 
Major Multi Purpose Projects in India 
 
 
Introduction 
Multipurpose river valley projects play a crucial role in India, serving various 
purposes such as irrigation, hydropower generation, flood control, and tourism. 
These projects involve the construction of dams to harness the potential of rivers. 
As one of the leading producers of hydroelectricity and an agricultural country, 
India has a rich history of multipurpose projects. Since the commissioning of the 
first hydroelectric project in Darjeeling in 1898, the country has witnessed the 
development of several significant projects aimed at boosting agriculture, 
electricity production, and overall economic growth. This article explores some of 
the major multipurpose river valley projects in India and their key features. 
1. Bhakra Nangal Project 
The Bhakra-Nangal Dam, situated near Bhakra George in Himachal Pradesh, 
stands as one of the tallest straightway gravity dams globally. This joint venture of 
the Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan governments, funded by the Central 
Government, serves multiple purposes such as electricity generation, flood 
control, silt control, irrigation, soil conservation, and wildlife preservation. The 
project primarily consists of two dams: Bhakra Dam and Nangal Dam. 
? Bhakra Dam: With a length of 518 meters and a height of 226 meters, 
Bhakra Dam boasts a reservoir called Gobind Sagar, which has become a 
popular tourist attraction. 
? Nangal Dam: Constructed 13 kilometers downstream of the Bhakra Dam, 
the Nangal Dam ensures the stability of the river channel. It spans 305 
meters in length, 30 meters in height, and 121 meters in width, and is 
located in Nangal village of Ropar district. Additionally, the project includes 
the Kotla and Ganguwal hydel projects, harnessing the power of the Nagal 
channel between Nagal and Ropar to generate hydroelectricity. 
2. Damodar Valley Project 
Known as the "Sorrow of Bengal," the Damodar River flows through Jharkhand 
and West Bengal. In 1948, the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) was established 
as India's first multipurpose river valley project after Independence. Inspired by 
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Major Multi Purpose Projects in India 
 
 
 
Major Multi-Purpose Projects in India 
 
Major Multi Purpose Projects in India 
 
 
Introduction 
Multipurpose river valley projects play a crucial role in India, serving various 
purposes such as irrigation, hydropower generation, flood control, and tourism. 
These projects involve the construction of dams to harness the potential of rivers. 
As one of the leading producers of hydroelectricity and an agricultural country, 
India has a rich history of multipurpose projects. Since the commissioning of the 
first hydroelectric project in Darjeeling in 1898, the country has witnessed the 
development of several significant projects aimed at boosting agriculture, 
electricity production, and overall economic growth. This article explores some of 
the major multipurpose river valley projects in India and their key features. 
1. Bhakra Nangal Project 
The Bhakra-Nangal Dam, situated near Bhakra George in Himachal Pradesh, 
stands as one of the tallest straightway gravity dams globally. This joint venture of 
the Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan governments, funded by the Central 
Government, serves multiple purposes such as electricity generation, flood 
control, silt control, irrigation, soil conservation, and wildlife preservation. The 
project primarily consists of two dams: Bhakra Dam and Nangal Dam. 
? Bhakra Dam: With a length of 518 meters and a height of 226 meters, 
Bhakra Dam boasts a reservoir called Gobind Sagar, which has become a 
popular tourist attraction. 
? Nangal Dam: Constructed 13 kilometers downstream of the Bhakra Dam, 
the Nangal Dam ensures the stability of the river channel. It spans 305 
meters in length, 30 meters in height, and 121 meters in width, and is 
located in Nangal village of Ropar district. Additionally, the project includes 
the Kotla and Ganguwal hydel projects, harnessing the power of the Nagal 
channel between Nagal and Ropar to generate hydroelectricity. 
2. Damodar Valley Project 
Known as the "Sorrow of Bengal," the Damodar River flows through Jharkhand 
and West Bengal. In 1948, the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) was established 
as India's first multipurpose river valley project after Independence. Inspired by 
Major Multi Purpose Projects in India 
 
 
the Tennessee River Valley Authority in the United States, the Damodar Valley 
Project encompasses seven dams across the Damodar River and its tributaries, 
along with three thermal power stations. 
? Tilaiya Dam: This concrete dam spans the Barakar River in Jharkhand's 
Koderma district. Completed in 1953, Tilaiya Dam provides irrigation for 
forty thousand hectares of land and helps mitigate floods. 
? Konar Dam: Constructed across the Konar River, a tributary of the Damodar 
River in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh district, the Konar Dam was completed in 
1955. It also supplies cooling water to the Steel Plant at Bokaro. 
? Maithon Dam: Completed in 1958, Maithon Dam is a 56-meter-high 
structure built across the Barakar River near its confluence with the 
Damodar River in Jharkhand. 
? Panchet Dam: Located in the Dhanbad district of Jharkhand, the Panchet 
Hill Dam spans the Damodar River. Completed in 1959, it stretches over 
2545 meters in length and has a height of 45 meters. Additionally, Aiyar, 
Bokaro, and Balpahri dams have been constructed on the Damodar and 
Barakar rivers as part of this project. 
3. Hirakund Project 
Considered the longest dam globally, the Hirakud Dam stretches 14 kilometers 
across the Mahanadi River. Its construction began in 1947 and was completed in 
1957. The Hirakud Project consists of three dams, namely Hirakud Dam, Tikrapara 
Dam, and Naraj Dam. Hirakud Dam lies in the Sambalpur district of Odisha, while 
Tikrapara and Naraj dams are located in the Cuttack district. 
 
4. Beas Project 
The Beas Project, a significant multipurpose endeavor, represents a collaboration 
between the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. It comprises two units: the 
Beas-Sutlej Link and the Beas Dam at Pong. Construction on this project began in 
1961, and the Beas Dam stands as an earthquake-proof structure with a height of 
approximately 133 meters. The project aims to address the growing demands for 
irrigation and electricity in the region. 
Page 4


Major Multi Purpose Projects in India 
 
 
 
Major Multi-Purpose Projects in India 
 
Major Multi Purpose Projects in India 
 
 
Introduction 
Multipurpose river valley projects play a crucial role in India, serving various 
purposes such as irrigation, hydropower generation, flood control, and tourism. 
These projects involve the construction of dams to harness the potential of rivers. 
As one of the leading producers of hydroelectricity and an agricultural country, 
India has a rich history of multipurpose projects. Since the commissioning of the 
first hydroelectric project in Darjeeling in 1898, the country has witnessed the 
development of several significant projects aimed at boosting agriculture, 
electricity production, and overall economic growth. This article explores some of 
the major multipurpose river valley projects in India and their key features. 
1. Bhakra Nangal Project 
The Bhakra-Nangal Dam, situated near Bhakra George in Himachal Pradesh, 
stands as one of the tallest straightway gravity dams globally. This joint venture of 
the Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan governments, funded by the Central 
Government, serves multiple purposes such as electricity generation, flood 
control, silt control, irrigation, soil conservation, and wildlife preservation. The 
project primarily consists of two dams: Bhakra Dam and Nangal Dam. 
? Bhakra Dam: With a length of 518 meters and a height of 226 meters, 
Bhakra Dam boasts a reservoir called Gobind Sagar, which has become a 
popular tourist attraction. 
? Nangal Dam: Constructed 13 kilometers downstream of the Bhakra Dam, 
the Nangal Dam ensures the stability of the river channel. It spans 305 
meters in length, 30 meters in height, and 121 meters in width, and is 
located in Nangal village of Ropar district. Additionally, the project includes 
the Kotla and Ganguwal hydel projects, harnessing the power of the Nagal 
channel between Nagal and Ropar to generate hydroelectricity. 
2. Damodar Valley Project 
Known as the "Sorrow of Bengal," the Damodar River flows through Jharkhand 
and West Bengal. In 1948, the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) was established 
as India's first multipurpose river valley project after Independence. Inspired by 
Major Multi Purpose Projects in India 
 
 
the Tennessee River Valley Authority in the United States, the Damodar Valley 
Project encompasses seven dams across the Damodar River and its tributaries, 
along with three thermal power stations. 
? Tilaiya Dam: This concrete dam spans the Barakar River in Jharkhand's 
Koderma district. Completed in 1953, Tilaiya Dam provides irrigation for 
forty thousand hectares of land and helps mitigate floods. 
? Konar Dam: Constructed across the Konar River, a tributary of the Damodar 
River in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh district, the Konar Dam was completed in 
1955. It also supplies cooling water to the Steel Plant at Bokaro. 
? Maithon Dam: Completed in 1958, Maithon Dam is a 56-meter-high 
structure built across the Barakar River near its confluence with the 
Damodar River in Jharkhand. 
? Panchet Dam: Located in the Dhanbad district of Jharkhand, the Panchet 
Hill Dam spans the Damodar River. Completed in 1959, it stretches over 
2545 meters in length and has a height of 45 meters. Additionally, Aiyar, 
Bokaro, and Balpahri dams have been constructed on the Damodar and 
Barakar rivers as part of this project. 
3. Hirakund Project 
Considered the longest dam globally, the Hirakud Dam stretches 14 kilometers 
across the Mahanadi River. Its construction began in 1947 and was completed in 
1957. The Hirakud Project consists of three dams, namely Hirakud Dam, Tikrapara 
Dam, and Naraj Dam. Hirakud Dam lies in the Sambalpur district of Odisha, while 
Tikrapara and Naraj dams are located in the Cuttack district. 
 
4. Beas Project 
The Beas Project, a significant multipurpose endeavor, represents a collaboration 
between the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. It comprises two units: the 
Beas-Sutlej Link and the Beas Dam at Pong. Construction on this project began in 
1961, and the Beas Dam stands as an earthquake-proof structure with a height of 
approximately 133 meters. The project aims to address the growing demands for 
irrigation and electricity in the region. 
Major Multi Purpose Projects in India 
 
 
5. Chambal Valley Project 
The Chambal Valley Project, located in Western India, is constructed across the 
Chambal River, a tributary of the Yamuna River. This joint venture between the 
Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh governments involves the development of three 
dams: Gandhi Sagar Dam, Rana Pratap Sagar Dam, and Jawahar Sagar Dam. 
? Gandhi Sagar Dam: This dam, situated in Madhya Pradesh, provides 
electricity and irrigation to regions in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. 
? Rana Pratap Sagar Dam: Located in the Kota district of Rajasthan, Rana 
Pratap Sagar Dam works in conjunction with the Gandhi Sagar Dam to meet 
the region's water and power needs. 
? Jawahar Sagar Dam: Positioned to the north of the Rana Pratap Sagar Dam 
in Rajasthan, the Jawahar Sagar Dam plays a vital role in generating 
electricity and providing irrigation to the project's catchment area. 
6. Kosi Project 
The Kosi Project represents a collaborative effort between the Indian and 
Nepalese governments to harness the potential of the Kosi River, often referred 
to as the "Sorrow of Bihar." A three-mile-long barrage has been constructed near 
Hanumannagar in Nepal to control floods, facilitate irrigation through canals, and 
generate electricity. 
 
7. Nagarjuna Sagar Project 
Spanning the Krishna River, the Nagarjuna Sagar Project is situated on the border 
between Nalgonda district in Telangana and Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh. 
The project includes right and left bank canals named after Jawaharlal Nehru and 
Lal Bahadur Shastri, respectively. Additionally, the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is the 
largest masonry dam in India and supplies electricity to several cities, including 
Hyderabad, Guntur, Khammam, Nalgonda, and Vijayawada. 
 
8. Rihand Project 
The Rihand Project, located in the Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh, stands as 
the largest multipurpose river valley project in the state. Constructed across the 
Rihand River, a tributary of the Son River, this project features a vast reservoir 
known as Gobind Ballav Pant Sagar. The Rihand Project, funded by the Central 
Page 5


Major Multi Purpose Projects in India 
 
 
 
Major Multi-Purpose Projects in India 
 
Major Multi Purpose Projects in India 
 
 
Introduction 
Multipurpose river valley projects play a crucial role in India, serving various 
purposes such as irrigation, hydropower generation, flood control, and tourism. 
These projects involve the construction of dams to harness the potential of rivers. 
As one of the leading producers of hydroelectricity and an agricultural country, 
India has a rich history of multipurpose projects. Since the commissioning of the 
first hydroelectric project in Darjeeling in 1898, the country has witnessed the 
development of several significant projects aimed at boosting agriculture, 
electricity production, and overall economic growth. This article explores some of 
the major multipurpose river valley projects in India and their key features. 
1. Bhakra Nangal Project 
The Bhakra-Nangal Dam, situated near Bhakra George in Himachal Pradesh, 
stands as one of the tallest straightway gravity dams globally. This joint venture of 
the Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan governments, funded by the Central 
Government, serves multiple purposes such as electricity generation, flood 
control, silt control, irrigation, soil conservation, and wildlife preservation. The 
project primarily consists of two dams: Bhakra Dam and Nangal Dam. 
? Bhakra Dam: With a length of 518 meters and a height of 226 meters, 
Bhakra Dam boasts a reservoir called Gobind Sagar, which has become a 
popular tourist attraction. 
? Nangal Dam: Constructed 13 kilometers downstream of the Bhakra Dam, 
the Nangal Dam ensures the stability of the river channel. It spans 305 
meters in length, 30 meters in height, and 121 meters in width, and is 
located in Nangal village of Ropar district. Additionally, the project includes 
the Kotla and Ganguwal hydel projects, harnessing the power of the Nagal 
channel between Nagal and Ropar to generate hydroelectricity. 
2. Damodar Valley Project 
Known as the "Sorrow of Bengal," the Damodar River flows through Jharkhand 
and West Bengal. In 1948, the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) was established 
as India's first multipurpose river valley project after Independence. Inspired by 
Major Multi Purpose Projects in India 
 
 
the Tennessee River Valley Authority in the United States, the Damodar Valley 
Project encompasses seven dams across the Damodar River and its tributaries, 
along with three thermal power stations. 
? Tilaiya Dam: This concrete dam spans the Barakar River in Jharkhand's 
Koderma district. Completed in 1953, Tilaiya Dam provides irrigation for 
forty thousand hectares of land and helps mitigate floods. 
? Konar Dam: Constructed across the Konar River, a tributary of the Damodar 
River in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh district, the Konar Dam was completed in 
1955. It also supplies cooling water to the Steel Plant at Bokaro. 
? Maithon Dam: Completed in 1958, Maithon Dam is a 56-meter-high 
structure built across the Barakar River near its confluence with the 
Damodar River in Jharkhand. 
? Panchet Dam: Located in the Dhanbad district of Jharkhand, the Panchet 
Hill Dam spans the Damodar River. Completed in 1959, it stretches over 
2545 meters in length and has a height of 45 meters. Additionally, Aiyar, 
Bokaro, and Balpahri dams have been constructed on the Damodar and 
Barakar rivers as part of this project. 
3. Hirakund Project 
Considered the longest dam globally, the Hirakud Dam stretches 14 kilometers 
across the Mahanadi River. Its construction began in 1947 and was completed in 
1957. The Hirakud Project consists of three dams, namely Hirakud Dam, Tikrapara 
Dam, and Naraj Dam. Hirakud Dam lies in the Sambalpur district of Odisha, while 
Tikrapara and Naraj dams are located in the Cuttack district. 
 
4. Beas Project 
The Beas Project, a significant multipurpose endeavor, represents a collaboration 
between the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. It comprises two units: the 
Beas-Sutlej Link and the Beas Dam at Pong. Construction on this project began in 
1961, and the Beas Dam stands as an earthquake-proof structure with a height of 
approximately 133 meters. The project aims to address the growing demands for 
irrigation and electricity in the region. 
Major Multi Purpose Projects in India 
 
 
5. Chambal Valley Project 
The Chambal Valley Project, located in Western India, is constructed across the 
Chambal River, a tributary of the Yamuna River. This joint venture between the 
Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh governments involves the development of three 
dams: Gandhi Sagar Dam, Rana Pratap Sagar Dam, and Jawahar Sagar Dam. 
? Gandhi Sagar Dam: This dam, situated in Madhya Pradesh, provides 
electricity and irrigation to regions in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. 
? Rana Pratap Sagar Dam: Located in the Kota district of Rajasthan, Rana 
Pratap Sagar Dam works in conjunction with the Gandhi Sagar Dam to meet 
the region's water and power needs. 
? Jawahar Sagar Dam: Positioned to the north of the Rana Pratap Sagar Dam 
in Rajasthan, the Jawahar Sagar Dam plays a vital role in generating 
electricity and providing irrigation to the project's catchment area. 
6. Kosi Project 
The Kosi Project represents a collaborative effort between the Indian and 
Nepalese governments to harness the potential of the Kosi River, often referred 
to as the "Sorrow of Bihar." A three-mile-long barrage has been constructed near 
Hanumannagar in Nepal to control floods, facilitate irrigation through canals, and 
generate electricity. 
 
7. Nagarjuna Sagar Project 
Spanning the Krishna River, the Nagarjuna Sagar Project is situated on the border 
between Nalgonda district in Telangana and Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh. 
The project includes right and left bank canals named after Jawaharlal Nehru and 
Lal Bahadur Shastri, respectively. Additionally, the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is the 
largest masonry dam in India and supplies electricity to several cities, including 
Hyderabad, Guntur, Khammam, Nalgonda, and Vijayawada. 
 
8. Rihand Project 
The Rihand Project, located in the Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh, stands as 
the largest multipurpose river valley project in the state. Constructed across the 
Rihand River, a tributary of the Son River, this project features a vast reservoir 
known as Gobind Ballav Pant Sagar. The Rihand Project, funded by the Central 
Major Multi Purpose Projects in India 
 
 
government, provides electricity to eastern Uttar Pradesh, western Bihar, and 
northern Madhya Pradesh while aiding in flood control and soil erosion 
prevention in the Son valley. 
 
9. Tehri Dam 
The Tehri Dam, situated in the Tehri district of Uttarakhand, is Asia's largest and 
the world's fifth-largest hydroelectric project. It stands as the tallest dam in India, 
with a height of 260 meters. Built across the Bhagirathi River, a tributary of the 
Ganges, the Tehri Dam generates an estimated 1000MW of power. 
 
10. Tungabhadra Project 
The Tungabhadra Dam, also known as Pampa Sagar, is constructed across the 
Tungabhadra River, a right-hand tributary of the Krishna River. This joint project 
between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh has its location near Mallapuram, close 
to Hospet in the Bellary district of Karnataka. The Tungabhadra canals associated 
with the project provide irrigation to over four lakh hectares of arable land. 
 
11. Sardar Sarovar Dam 
The Sardar Sarovar Dam is built across the Narmada River in Navagam near 
Kevadiya, situated in the Narmada district of Gujarat. This concrete dam boasts a 
height of 163 meters and serves the states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya 
Pradesh, and Maharashtra by supplying electricity. It also promotes activities such 
as livestock keeping, dairy farming, and animal husbandry. 
 
12. Farakka Barrage 
The Farakka Project, located in the Murshidabad district of West Bengal, is an 
essential multipurpose project built across the Ganga River. Its primary objectives 
revolve around water transportation and irrigation. The project aims to improve 
navigation along the Hooghly River and maintain the Calcutta Port. 
These major multipurpose river valley projects in India exemplify the country's 
dedication to harnessing the potential of its rivers for various purposes. They 
contribute significantly to irrigation, hydropower generation, flood control, and 
overall socio-economic development in their respective regions. Through these 
projects, India continues to harness the power of its water resources to fuel 
progress and prosperity.