Discover the list of major dams in India, their locations, rivers, and purposes. Learn about India’s biggest and most important dams for irrigation, hydroelectricity, and water supply.
India is home to over 5,700 large dams, playing a vital role in irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, flood control, and water supply. These massive structures are engineering marvels, built across various rivers to meet the needs of agriculture, industry, and households.
In this article, we will explore the major dams in India, their locations, the rivers they are built on, and their importance.
Importance of Dams in India
Dams are crucial for India’s economy and daily life:
Irrigation – Supplying water to agricultural lands.
Flood Control – Preventing damage during heavy monsoons.
Water Storage – Ensuring year-round water availability.
Drinking Water Supply – Providing water to towns and cities.
List of Major Dams in India
Dam Name
River
Location (State)
Height (m)
Purpose
Bhakra Nangal Dam
Sutlej River
Himachal Pradesh / Punjab
226
Irrigation, Hydropower
Sardar Sarovar Dam
Narmada River
Gujarat
163
Irrigation, Water Supply, Power
Tehri Dam
Bhagirathi River
Uttarakhand
260
Hydroelectricity, Irrigation
Hirakud Dam
Mahanadi River
Odisha
60.96
Flood Control, Irrigation
Indira Sagar Dam
Narmada River
Madhya Pradesh
92
Irrigation, Power
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
Krishna River
Telangana / Andhra Pradesh
124
Irrigation, Power
Idukki Dam
Periyar River
Kerala
168.91
Hydroelectricity
Rihand Dam
Rihand River (Son)
Uttar Pradesh
91.44
Irrigation, Power
Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam
Kaveri River
Karnataka
39
Irrigation, Water Supply
Mettur Dam
Kaveri River
Tamil Nadu
65
Irrigation, Water Supply
Tungabhadra Dam
Tungabhadra River
Karnataka
49.38
Irrigation, Power
Maithon Dam
Barakar River
Jharkhand
55
Flood Control, Power
Bhavanisagar Dam
Bhavani River
Tamil Nadu
40
Irrigation
Ukai Dam
Tapti River
Gujarat
105
Irrigation, Power
Chamera Dam
Ravi River
Himachal Pradesh
140
Hydroelectricity
Top 5 Highest Dams in India
Tehri Dam – Uttarakhand – 260 m – Bhagirathi River
Bhakra Nangal Dam – Himachal Pradesh/Punjab – 226 m – Sutlej River
Idukki Dam – Kerala – 168.91 m – Periyar River
Sardar Sarovar Dam – Gujarat – 163 m – Narmada River
Chamera Dam – Himachal Pradesh – 140 m – Ravi River
Biggest Reservoirs in India
Indira Sagar Reservoir – Madhya Pradesh – Largest in water capacity.
Gobind Sagar Reservoir – Himachal Pradesh – Created by Bhakra Dam.
Hirakud Reservoir – Odisha – Longest dam in the world.
State-wise List of Major Dams in India
Explore the complete state-wise list of major dams in India with their locations, rivers, and purposes. A detailed guide for students, competitive exam aspirants, and general knowledge.
