The largest dam in India shrouded in history, engineering excellence and environmental importance stands as a symbol of the nation's progress and its unwavering commitment to harness the power of its rivers . In this article we embark on a journey to explore the largest dam in India, delving into its origins, purpose and the profound impact it has on the nation's landscapes, livelihoods and aspirations . Join us as we unveil the majesty of this iconic structure showcasing how it weaves its story into the tapestry of India's ever-evolving identity.

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Largest Dam in India - Tehri Dam

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The largest dam in India is the Tehri Dam, located on the Bhagirathi River in the state of Uttarakhand. It is a 260.5 meter tall earth-fill and rock-fill dam with a crest length of 575 meters. The dam has a reservoir capacity of 3,540 million cubic meters (MCM) and generates 1,000 megawatts (MW) of hydroelectric power.

The Tehri Dam was completed in 2005 and is one of the highest dams in the world . It plays a vital role in India's water management system, providing water for irrigation, hydropower generation and drinking water supply. The dam also helps to control floods and protect downstream communities from flooding.

The Tehri Dam is a controversial project, due to its environmental and social impacts. The construction of the dam displaced over 100,000 people and submerged several villages. The dam has also been linked to increased seismic activity in the region.

Despite its controversies, the Tehri Dam is a major engineering feat and plays an important role in India's water management system.In recent years, several new dams have been completed, further strengthening India's water infrastructure. One such project is the Shahpurkandi Dam in Punjab, completed in early 2024. It is constructed on the Ravi River and aims to prevent the unutilized Indian share of river water from flowing into Pakistan, while also generating hydroelectricity and supporting irrigation. Another notable development is the Mapithel (Thoubal) Dam in Manipur, which became fully operational around 2024. Designed for irrigation, drinking water, and hydropower generation, it marks a major milestone in the Northeast’s water resource management.

India is home to numerous dams that serve various purposes such as flood control, hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and more. Here, we present a list of the top 10 largest dams in India by length, highlighting their purposes, the rivers they are built on, and their key details.

Top 10 Highest Dams in India

Below is the list of the top 10 highest dams in India, featuring details about their heights, intended functions, associated rivers, and other relevant information.

Top 10 Biggest Dams in India by Capacity

Below is the list of the top 10 biggest dam in India by their design gross storage capacity, featuring details about their purposes, associated rivers, and other relevant information.

Definition of Large Dams in India

In India, the classification of large dams is established based on specific criteria, as per the guidelines provided by the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD). A large dam is identified as one that possesses a maximum height of more than 15 meters from its deepest foundation to the crest.

However, dams falling within the height range of 10 to 15 meters from their deepest foundation are also included in the category of large dams if they meet certain additional conditions. These conditions encompass one or more of the following criteria:

1. a) The length of the crest of the dam is not less than 500 meters.
2. b) The capacity of the reservoir formed by the dam is not less than one million cubic meters.
3. c) The dam is designed to handle a maximum flood discharge of not less than 2,000 cubic meters per second.
4. d) The dam presents particularly challenging foundation issues.
5. e) The dam exhibits an unusual design that warrants its inclusion in the classification of large dams.

It's important to note that while the above definition for large dams has been maintained for dams other than earthen and rock fill dams, a specific definition has been adopted for earthen and rock fill dams. For these types of dams, the definition considers a large dam as one that exceeds 15 meters in height above the deepest river bed level. Additionally, a dam with a height ranging from 10 to 15 meters is considered a large dam if the volume of earthwork involved exceeds 0.75 million cubic meters, the storage capacity surpasses 1 million cubic meters, or the maximum flood discharge capacity is greater than 2000 cubic meters per second.

As of 2024, India has over 6,100 completed large dams and around 140 more under construction. New entries like Shahpurkandi and Mapithel Dams exemplify India’s ongoing commitment to expanding water and power infrastructure across diverse regions.

It is also important to understand that topics such as “longest river in India” are crucial for your competitive exams. To know more about other important GK topics, download our Testbook app today and make your way easy to learn.