6 Most Famous and Popular Dams in India 2024
If you want a special holiday, give it some thought. We suggest that you look at the beautiful buildings below, starting with some well-known popular dams in India. India’s beautiful dams store water, keep the country safe from flooding, and provide hydroelectricity. They’ve also become great tourist spots with beautiful views, peace, and excitement. India has about 4,000 ponds, and many of them can be used for more than one thing.
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List of 6 Most Popular Dams in India
India is a country known for its diverse landscape and natural beauty. It is home to many rivers, lakes, and waterfalls, making it one of the largest producers of hydroelectric power in the world. One of the key factors in harnessing this potential has been the construction of large dams across various rivers
Here are some of the most popular dams in India, each with its own unique engineering feat and contribution to the country’s development:
Tehri Dam
The Tehri Dam is one of the tallest and most popular dams in India. The Tehri Dam in the state of Uttarakhand is one of India’s most impressive and well-known building works. This multipurpose electrical dam on the Bhagirathi River has become a symbol of modern infrastructure growth in the area. It was an impressive project that was made to deal with a wide range of possibilities and problems that come up when managing water supplies, making energy, and stopping floods.
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- Height of the Dam: 260.5 Metres (855 feet)
- Length of the Dam: 575 Metres (1,886 feet)
- Type of Dam: Rock and earth-fill embankment dam
- Reservoir Capacity: 3.54 cubic kilometres (2.87 billion acre-feet).
- Installed Capacity: 1,000 MW of hydropower generation, with an additional 1,000 MW of pumped storage hydroelectricity
Bhakra Nangal Dam
In Uttarakhand, you’ll find a dam called the Tehri, standing tall at 260.5 meters, making it India’s tallest! It’s among the top 10 highest dams globally and sits on the Bhagirathi River. The Bhakra Nangal Dam, a formidable concrete gravity dam spanning the River Satluj, is the largest and most popular dams in India. Located in the scenic state of Himachal Pradesh, this colourful dam is encircled with greenery. The reservoir at Bhakra Nangal Dam, also known as Gobind Sagar Lake, has a capacity of up to 9.34 billion cubic metres, making it India’s second largest. This breathtaking Himachal Pradesh attraction can produce 1,350 megawatts of hydroelectric power.
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- Height of the Dam: 226 meters (740 feet)
- Length of the Dam: 518.25 meters (1,700 ft)
- Type of Dam: Concrete gravity dam
- Reservoir Capacity: 9.34 billion cubic meters
- Installed Capacity: 1,379 MW (right and left bank power houses)
Sardar Sarovar Dam
The Sardar Sarovar Dam was built on the Narmada River in 1979. With the biggest dam ever built on the Narmada River, the state of Gujarat will get hydroelectric power, irrigation water, and drinking water. Because of its natural beauty and tourist services, the dam has become a popular place for people to visit. The government of Gujrat also plans to put solar panels in the Narmada Canal so that the people of Gujrat can get power from the sun.
This location offers organized tours of the dam’s six most important locations. Sardar Sarovar Dam is the highest and most popular dams in India. There is a park, a lake for boating, the first lock gate, Jawaharlal Nehru’s foundation stone, and a place for kids in nature camps to go trekking. The best times to visit the dam are in October and November.
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- Height of the Dam: 163 meters
- Length of the Dam: 1,210 meters
- Type of Dam: Concrete gravity dam
- Reservoir Capacity: 0.95 million hectares of gross capacity and 0.586 million hectares of live storage capacity
- Installed Capacity: installed capacity of 1,450 MW.
Hirakud Dam
The Hirakud Dam in Odisha is built on the Mahanadi River and is one of the largest dams in the world. It is the world’s longest-created human dam and one of India’s first big river valley projects with more than one use. The lake behind the dam is called the Hirakud Reservoir, and it’s a big draw for tourists. During the winter, a lot of birds that come here to spend the winter can be seen.
Furthermore, it is not only a great place for wildlife to thrive, but it also has beautiful views. Some old buildings were found while the dam was being built, which led to scuba diving to explore the waters around Hirakud. A boat can take you to these sites in May and June.
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- Height of the Dam: 61 meters
- Length of the Dam: Main dam section: 4.8 kilometres, Including dykes: 25.8 kilometres
- Type of Dam: Earthen dam with concrete and masonry structures
- Reservoir Capacity: 77,00,000 acre-feet.
- Installed Capacity: 1450 Megawatts.
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is one of the popular dams in India. A huge stone wall called the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is being built on the powerful river Krishna. The dam is 16 kilometres long, 490 feet high, and has 26 gates. It can hold 11,472 million cubic meters of water. A lot of people want to visit because of the magnificent construction and stunning beauty. He was a Buddhist monk, and the dam is called after him. It takes more than 10 lakh acres of water from Nagarjuna Sagar to water the districts of Nalgonda, Guntur, Khammam, and Prakasam.
The dam was finished in 1972 with the help of between 45,000 and 70,000 people. It’s beautiful where the pond is, right next to the dam. Besides that, there are sights to see, such as Nagarjunakonda Island, which is in the middle of the lake. The remains of the Buddhist village that was moved to this island after it was washed disappeared during construction.
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- Height of the Dam: 124 meters (407 feet)
- Length of the Dam: 1.6 kilometers
- Type of Dam: Masonry Dam
- Reservoir Capacity: 11.472 billion cubic meters
- Installed Capacity: 1240 MW
Idukki Arch Dam
Kerala is a state in South India. The Idukki Arch Dam is an amazing piece of engineering. It is built on the River Periyar and looks like an arch with two curves. The dam is built in a valley that is between two hills called Kuravathi and Kuravan. It’s about 550 feet high and a beautiful sight in the rough landscape. It is one of the tallest arch dams in Asia at this point.
When you are in the area, make sure to visit one of the tallest and most popular dams in India. They offer a unique experience that combines beauty, knowledge, and excitement. A trip to the green scenery and clear water is also a good idea for the weekend.
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- Height of the Dam:168.91 metres (554.2 feet)
- Length of the Dam: 365.85 metres (1,200.3 feet)
- Type of Dam: Double-curvature arch dam
- Reservoir Capacity: 1.996 cubic kilometres (70.50 trillion cubic feet)
- Installed Capacity: 780 MW hydroelectric power station
6-day itinerary for popular Dams In India With The Nearest Attraction:
Here is a possible itinerary for visiting some of the most popular dams in India:
Day – 1
Tehri Dam
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- Arrive in Delhi and check into your hotel.
- Take a taxi or rickshaw to Tehri Dam, which is about 2 hours from Delhi.
- Tehri Dam is one of the highest dams in India and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
- Take a boat ride on the reservoir or go for a hike in the nearby hills.
- In the evening, return to Delhi and enjoy a traditional Indian dinner.
Day – 2
Bhakra Nangal Dam
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- Take an early morning train to Bhakra Nangal Dam, which is about 5 hours from Delhi.
- Visit the dam and learn about how it was built and its past.
- Bhakra Nangal Dam is one of the largest dams in India and is a major source of hydroelectric power for the region.
- Take a tour of the dam and learn about its history and construction.
- In the afternoon, visit the nearby town of Nangal and explore the local markets.
- In the evening, return to Delhi and enjoy a free evening.
Day – 3
Sardar Sarovar Dam
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- Take an early morning flight to Ahmedabad and then a taxi or rickshaw to Sardar Sarovar Dam, which is about 3 hours from Ahmedabad.
- Sardar Sarovar Dam is the largest dam in India and is a major source of irrigation and drinking water for the region.
- Take a boat ride on the reservoir or go for a hike in the nearby hills.
- In the evening, return to Ahmedabad and enjoy a traditional Gujarati dinner.
Day – 4
Hirakud Dam
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- Take an early morning train to Bhubaneswar and then a taxi or rickshaw to Hirakud Dam, which is about 3 hours from Bhubaneswar.
- Take a tour of the dam to learn about how it was built and its past.
- Hirakud Dam is the longest dam in India and is a major source of hydroelectric power for the region.
- Take a tour of the dam and learn about its history and construction.
- In the afternoon, visit the nearby town of Hirakud and explore the local markets.
- In the evening, return to Bhubaneswar and enjoy a free evening.
Day – 5
Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
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- Take an early morning train to Hyderabad and then a taxi or rickshaw to Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, which is about 3 hours from Hyderabad.
- Take a boat ride on the reservoir or go for a hike in the nearby hills.
- Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is the second largest dam in India and is a major source of irrigation and drinking water for the region.
- Take a boat ride on the reservoir or go for a hike in the nearby hills.
- In the evening, return to Hyderabad and enjoy a traditional Hyderabadi dinner.
Day – 6
Idukki Arch Dam
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- Take an early morning flight to Kochi and then a taxi or rickshaw to Idukki Arch Dam, which is about 4 hours from Kochi.
- Idukki Arch Dam is the highest arch dam in Asia and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
- Take a boat ride on the reservoir or go for a hike in the nearby hills.
- In the evening, return to Kochi and enjoy a traditional Keralan dinner.
Day – 7
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- Depart from Kochi.
Tips For Popular Dams In India
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- Consider visiting during festivals: Some dams host vibrant festivals celebrating water and harvest, offering a unique cultural experience.
- Look for nearby attractions: Combine your dam visit with exploring historical sites, national parks, or local villages for a well-rounded trip.
- Be aware of potential wildlife: Research if the dam area is known for any wildlife encounters and take necessary precautions (respectful observation, following park guidelines).
- Carry essentials: Pack sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, and enough water, especially during hot weather.
- Explore dam tours (if available): Some dams offer guided tours that provide insights into their history, construction, and significance.
FAQ’S Of Popular Dams In India
Do you know which Indian dam is the tallest?
The Tehri Dam in Uttarakhand is 260.5 metres (855 feet) high and is one of the tallest dams in India. The two major things it does are store water and make hydroelectric electricity.
People from other countries can visit big dams, right?
A lot of India’s big dams, like the Sardar Sarovar Dam and the Bhakra Nangal Dam, are now famous tourist spots. The dam lakes make it possible to enjoy leisure activities like boating and sightseeing, which helps bring more tourists to the area.
How many important lakes does India have?
The number of big dams in India has reached 5,334 as of July 2019. India is building about 447 big dams right now. This country has three times as many dams as China and the USA.
Which Indian dam is the longest?
It is the longest dam in India. It is on the Mahanadi River in Odisha.
