List of Largest Dams in India

Tehri Dam is the largest dam of India. Dams are large structures built to block the flow of rivers and create reservoirs or artificial lakes. These structures are constructed using concrete, rocks, or other materials to regulate water flow, provide water for various uses, generate electricity, and prevent flooding. India’s breathtakingly gorgeous dams have become popular tourist destinations that provide magnificent views, tranquility, tranquillity, and adventure in addition to serving the nation’s needs for water storage, flood prevention, and hydroelectricity. There are almost 4,000 dams in India, many of which serve several purposes.

List of Top 10 Largest Dams in India

The list of the top 10 largest dams of India is shown below:

Name	Purpose	River	District	State	Basin
Tehri Dam	Hydroelectric, Irrigation	Bhagirathi	Tehri Garhwal	Uttrakhand	Ganga
Lakhwar Dam	Hydroelectric, Irrigation	Yamuna	Dehradun	Uttrakhand	Ganga
Idukki Dam	Hydroelectric	Periyar	Idukki	Kerala	West-flowing rivers from Tadri to Kanyakumari
Bhakra Dam	Hydroelectric, Irrigation, Recreation	Satluj	Bilaspur	Himachal Pradesh	Indus up to International Borders
Pakul Dul Dam	Hydroelectric	Marusudar	Kishtwar	Jammu & Kashmir	Indus up to International Borders
Sardar Sarovar Gujarat Dam	Hydroelectric, Irrigation	Narmada	Narmada	Gujarat	Narmada
Srisailam (N.S.R.S.P) Dam	Hydroelectric, Irrigation	Krishna	Kurnool	Telangna	Krishna
Ranjit Sagar Dam	Food control, Hydroelectric, Irrigation	Ravi	Kathua	Punjab	Indus Up to Internatioal border
Baglihar Dam	Hydroelectric	Chenab	Ramban	Jammu & Kashmir	Indus Up to Internatioal border
Chamera I Dam	Hydroelectric	Ravi	Chamba	Himachal Pradesh	Indus Up to Internatioal border

10 Largest Dams in India

Tehri Dam

With a height of 260.5 meters and a length of 575 meters, the Tehri Dam in India is among the world’s tallest dams and India’s largest dam. With a remarkable 21,00,000 acre-feet of reservoir capacity, this rock-fill dam is an essential water storage facility. Moreover, the dam generates a significant amount of hydroelectric power with an installed capacity of 1000 megawatts. The building of the Tehri Dam was not without difficulties, since many communities had to be relocated as a result of the large reservoir’s formation, even if it represents a noteworthy accomplishment in the management of water resources and the generation of clean energy. Notwithstanding these difficulties, it is essential to improve the region’s supply of water and power.

Lakhwar Dam

It is planned for irrigation and the production of hydroelectric power on the Yamuna River in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. With a design gross storage capacity of 587.84 MCM, this masonry, earthen, and gravity dam has the ability to benefit the Ganga Basin. Although precise completion details are still to be confirmed, it is expected to significantly improve the region’s management of water resources.

Idukki Dam

Located on the Periyar River close to Todupulai in Idukki, Kerala, it specializes in the production of hydroelectric electricity. This gravity and masonry dam, which is 366 meters long and 169 meters high, was finished in 1974. It is a river that flows west from Tadri to the Kanyakumari Basin and has a significant storage capacity of 1998.57 MCM.

Bhakra Dam

This multipurpose gem on the Satluj River near Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, is used for irrigation, recreation, and the production of hydroelectric power. With a design gross storage capacity of 9867.84 MCM, this earthen/gravity and masonry dam was finished in 1963. It is 167.64 meters high and 518.16 meters long, and it joins the Indus up to the International Border Basin.

Pakal Dul Dam

It is mainly focused on the production of hydroelectric power and is planned on the Marusudar River in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir. This earthen/gravity and masonry dam is expected to play a crucial role in the Indus up to International Border Basin, even if precise completion details are still pending. Its height is 167 meters, its length is 305 meters, and its storage capacity is 1254 MCM.

Sardar Sarover Gujarat Dam

It is a multipurpose dam for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation that is situated on the Narmada River close to Rajpipla, Gujarat. This 163-meter-tall gravity and masonry dam is at least 1210 meters long, and it was built to service the Narmada Basin.

Srisailam (N.S.R.S.P) Dam

It is located on the Krishna River close to Nandikotkur in Kurnool, Telangana, and is crucial for irrigation and the production of hydroelectric power. This earthen barrier, which is 145 meters high and 512 meters long, was finished in 1984. It provides the Krishna Basin with a useful storage capacity of 8724.88 MCM.

Ranjit Sagar Dam

It is situated on the Ravi River close to Pathankot, Kathua, Punjab, and is intended for irrigation, flood control, and the production of hydroelectric power. This earthen dam, measuring 617 meters in length and 145 meters in height, was finished in 1999 and contributes to the International Border Basin up to the Indus River.

Baglihar Dam

It is located close to Ramban, Jammu & Kashmir, on the CHENAB River, and its main purpose is the production of hydroelectric electricity. This masonry and gravity dam, which is 143 meters high and 364.362 meters long, was finished in 2009 and significantly increased power generation in the Indus up to the International Border Basin.

Chamera I Dam

Completed in 1994, this significant hydroelectric dam is located at Bhattiyat, Chamba, Himachal Pradesh, on the Ravi River. This earthen/gravity and masonry dam, which is 295 meters long and rises to a height of 140 meters, is essential to the Indus up to the International Border Basin. With a concentration on power generation, it has a 242.3 MCM design gross storage capacity.

Questions and Answers on largest Dams in India

1. Which is the largest dam of India?

Tehri dam is the largest dam of India.

2. Which is the oldest dam in India?

India’s oldest and first dam is the Kallanai Dam, which spans the Kaveri River in Tamil Nadu. Another name for it is the Grand Anicut. Additional Reading: Notes on Geography.

3. Which dam failed in India?

The Teesta III dam stores water for its generators by filling an imposing 60 m high concrete dam with rock. In an instant, the dam was breached. Gone was a piece of national infrastructure valued at more than Rs 14,000 crore. The river roared downstream, now laced with additional broken dam debris.

4. Which state has most dams in India?

Maharashtra has most dams in India.