Which is the Biggest Dam in India? (Tehri Dam Facts)
🏞️ Which is the Biggest Dam in India? Discover the Giant Powerhouse of Tehri Dam
India, with its diverse terrain and mighty rivers, is home to some of the most impressive dams in the world. These colossal structures not only support irrigation and water storage, but also play a vital role in hydroelectric power generation, flood control, and urban water supply. But among all these engineering marvels, which is the biggest dam in India?
Let’s dive deep into the incredible story and significance of the Tehri Dam, India's tallest and biggest dam.
📍 Quick Answer: What is India’s Largest Dam?
The Tehri Dam, located in Uttarakhand, is India’s biggest dam in terms of height and water storage capacity.
📏 Height: 260.5 meters (855 feet)
🌊 Built on: Bhagirathi River
💡 Power Capacity: 1000 MW+
📍 Location: Tehri, Uttarakhand
🧱 Tehri Dam – An Engineering Masterpiece
The Tehri Dam is a rock and earth-fill embankment dam, making it one of the tallest dams of its kind in the world. The construction of the dam began in 1978 and took several decades due to technical challenges and environmental concerns. It was finally completed in 2006.
Key Features:
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Type: Earth & rock-fill dam
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Reservoir Name: Tehri Lake
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Storage Capacity: 3.54 billion cubic meters
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Length: 575 meters (1,886 feet)
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Catchment Area: 7,200 sq. km
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Construction Cost: Over ₹8,000 crore
⚡ Tehri Hydroelectric Power Plant: Fueling India's Energy Grid
One of the primary purposes of the Tehri Dam is hydroelectric power generation. The Tehri Hydropower Complex consists of:
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1000 MW main hydroelectric plant
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Additional 1000 MW of pumped storage power (under construction)
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Power is supplied to states like Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and more
This makes it one of the most energy-efficient dams in Asia.
🚜 Irrigation & Agriculture Support
Tehri Dam plays a massive role in supporting agriculture by providing water for:
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Over 2.7 lakh hectares of agricultural land
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Controlling monsoon flooding in the Ganga river basin
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Improving crop productivity in regions like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
This makes it a critical asset for Indian farmers and food production.
🚰 Drinking Water to Millions
Apart from power and irrigation, the dam supplies drinking water to major cities, including:
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Delhi
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Uttarakhand towns like Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun
In times of water crisis, Tehri Lake becomes a lifeline for millions.
🌍 Environmental Significance & Controversy
While Tehri Dam has brought enormous benefits, it has also faced criticism for:
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Displacement of over 1 lakh people, especially in Old Tehri town
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Ecological concerns over seismic zones (Uttarakhand is prone to earthquakes)
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Long-term impact on river ecosystems
Despite this, Tehri Dam is considered a successful model of balancing development with regulation.
🇮🇳 Comparison: Other Major Dams in India
While Tehri is the biggest dam, India has other notable large dams:
| Dam Name | River | Height | State | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tehri Dam | Bhagirathi | 260.5 m | Uttarakhand | Tallest, Hydropower |
| Bhakra Nangal Dam | Sutlej | 226 m | Himachal Pradesh | Multipurpose, massive reservoir |
| Sardar Sarovar Dam | Narmada | 163 m | Gujarat | Irrigation and drinking water supply |
| Nagarjuna Sagar Dam | Krishna | 124 m | Telangana | Asia’s largest masonry dam |
Why Tehri Dam Is India’s Pride
The Tehri Dam is not just the biggest dam in India—it’s a symbol of modern India’s ability to conquer nature through engineering while serving power, water, and agricultural needs for millions. It’s an inspiration for future renewable energy projects in India and beyond.
Whether you're a student, traveler, engineer, or curious mind, Tehri Dam is a place worth learning about—and even visiting!
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