List of Largest and Biggest Dams in India you Should Visit

Introduction

Dams are colossal concrete structures that act as a reservoir of water. Dams are built to produce electricity using hydropower. There are some biggest dams in India that have stood strong for years providing livelihood to millions of people.

India has constructed several dam’s post-independence to utilize its massive water resources. There are over 4000 dams that have already been constructed in our country.

Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN), Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) are the three organizations handles the construction of the dams in the country. In this article, you will look at the 10 biggest dams of India, which are worth a visit.

Major Dams in India

The below table will highlight the major dams in India. Take a look and visit them without fail if you get a chance.

Some Famous Dams in India

This a list of the famous dams in India. Take a look at this list and make a tour plan to visit them in 2020.

So, if you think which is the biggest dam in India, it’s none other than Bhakra Nangal Dam in Punjab.

Highlights of the Biggest Dams in India

Let’s go through the snapshots about the history, location, and capacity of these famous dams in India in detail.

1.Hirakud Dam

Location – Odisha

River – Mahanadi

The Hirakud Dam is located in the Sambalpur district of Odisha. It is one of the longest dams in the world. The Hirakud Dam is a stunning attraction for tourists and provides hydroelectric power. The list of Indian dams would be incomplete without its mention. The dam was opened to the general public in 1957. The surrounding area is home to several stunning bird species like pochards, great crested grebes and red-crested pochards.

2.Rihand Dam

Location – Pipari, Uttar Pradesh

River – Rihand

The Rihand Dam is also known as Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar. It’s the biggest dam of India in terms of water volume. Located in the Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh, it’s a concrete gravity dam with a large artificial lake. Construction of the dam was completed in 1962, and it has a total water capacity of 300 MW. The dam has an amazing structure with 61 joint and independent blocks.

3.Bhavani Sagar Dam

Location – Erode district, Tamil Nadu

River –Bhavani

Bhavani Sagar Dam also is known as lower Bhavani boasts of outstanding views for the tourists. It is one of the biggest earthen dams in the country. There are gardens, parks, and picnic spots for families. The dam was constructed to store water and control the silt formation on the river bed. Take a trip to this beautiful and soothe your eyes. Also, this is one of the family picnic spots for the locals around Bhavani.

4.Sardar Sarovar Dam

Location –Navagam, Gujarat

River – Narmada

The Sardar Sarovar Dam, also is known as the Narmada dam, is one of the most significant project constructions in India. Built with a height of 163 meters and a length of 1210 meters, this dam plays a vital role in providing water to the arid regions in Kutch. The dam covers four states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.

5.Bhakra Nangal Dam

Location – Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh

River – Sutlej

It is a concrete gravity dam and is located at the border of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the biggest dams in India. The dam is capable of storing up to 9.34 cubic meters of water and was constructed to prevent floods in the region. It is 3 times taller than Qutab Minar and is a major tourist attraction in the country.

6.Mettur Dam

Location – Salem District, Tamil Nadu

River – Cauvery

The Mettur Dam was constructed in the year 1934 and is one of the largest dams in India. It is 1700-meter-long and provides irrigation facilities for 3 lakh farm areas in parts of Salem, Erode, Namakkal, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, and Thanjavur. It’s also an outstanding tourist attraction and a relaxing picnic spot. There is a 75-foot Platinum Jubilee Tower that provides incredible views of the surrounding areas.

7.Cheruthoni Dam

Location – Idukki, Kerala

River – Periyar River

It is a 138-meter-tall concrete dam built to harness hydroelectric power for the Idukki district. The dam is looked after by Kerala State Electricity Board and has boating facilities on rent. You will get enchanting views of sunrise and sunset from this place. You wouldn’t want to miss the beauty of you are planning a trip to Kerala.

8.Bisalpur Dam

Location – Tonk district, Rajasthan

River – Banas

The Bisalpur dam in India reservoir supplies water to the Tonk and Mahopur districts of Rajasthan. The dam is also known as the lifeline of Jaipur, and half of Jaipur Municipal Corporation gets water from it. The almost dry Pushkar lake was filled with water from this reservoir during the annual fair.

9.Indira Sagar Dam

Location – Mundi, Madhya Pradesh

River – Narmada

This dam is considered Asia’s most prestigious hydropower project. Former prime minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi laid the foundation stone of this dam on 23^rd October 1984. The sheer colossal structure makes this dam an ideal tourist spot. The dam is 92-meter-tall and 653 meters long. So, take a trip to India’s biggest dam for a day and make the memory of a lifetime.

10.Tunghabhadra Dam

Location – Hospet, Karnataka

River – Tungabhadra

It is a multipurpose dam serving irrigation, electricity, and flood control. The dam was opened to the public in 1953 and since then has become a sought-after tourist destination. The dam is spread across 378 square km, with 49.5 m in height.