Geography Chapters

1. Continents and Oceans2. Biosphere3. Lithosphere4. Hydrosphere5. Atmosphere6. Latitudes and Longitudes7. Different Heat Zones of the Earth8. Longitudes and Time Zones9. International Date Line10. Motion of the Earth11. Effect of the Tilted Axis on Day and Night12. The Atmosphere (Composition and Layers)13. Weather and Climate14. Atmospheric Pressure15. Internal Structure of the Earth16. Rocks17. Earthquakes and Volcanoes18. Various Landforms (Mountains, Plateaus, Plains, Grasslands)19. Landforms Created by River System20. Landforms Created by Glacier21. Landforms Created by Wind22. Landforms Created by Groundwater23. The Indian Subcontinent Position, Extent, and Physical Features24. Climatic Diversity in the Indian Subcontinent25. Soil Resources of the Indian Subcontinent26. Agriculture in India27. Land Use Pattern of India28. Water Resources and Their Utilization in India29. Multipurpose River Valley Projects30. Transport in India31. Rivers of India

Multipurpose River Valley Projects in India

Multipurpose river valley projects are large-scale projects constructed on rivers for multiple uses like irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, flood control, and water supply.

Objectives of Multipurpose Projects

  • Provide irrigation water to drought-prone and arid regions.
  • Generate hydroelectric power for industrial and domestic use.
  • Control floods and prevent waterlogging in downstream areas.
  • Supply drinking water to rural and urban areas.
  • Promote inland navigation and fisheries.

Major Multipurpose River Valley Projects

Project Name River State(s) Purpose Key Features
Bhakra Nangal Project Sutlej Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan Irrigation, Hydroelectric power, Flood control One of the largest dams; major power producer and irrigation source
Hirakud Dam Mahanadi Odisha Flood control, Irrigation, Hydroelectric power Longest earthen dam in the world
Tehri Dam Bhagirathi (Ganga basin) Uttarakhand Hydroelectric power, Irrigation, Drinking water supply One of the tallest dams in India
Damodar Valley Project Damodar Jharkhand, West Bengal Flood control, Irrigation, Power generation India’s first multipurpose river valley project
Tungabhadra Project Tungabhadra Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh Irrigation, Hydroelectric power Joint project of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh
Sardar Sarovar Project Narmada Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan Irrigation, Drinking water, Hydroelectric power Part of Narmada Valley Development

Issues and Challenges

  • Displacement and rehabilitation of people living in project areas.
  • Environmental concerns like submergence of forests and loss of biodiversity.
  • Inter-state disputes over water sharing and project benefits.
  • High cost and long gestation period of these projects.
  • Maintenance and siltation issues reducing dam efficiency.

Previous Year Questions

  • SSC CGL 2018: On which river is the Bhakra Nangal dam constructed?
  • Sutlej river.
  • RRB JE 2019: Which multipurpose project is built on the Damodar river?
  • Damodar Valley Project.
  • HSSC CET 2020: Name a major project on the Narmada river used for irrigation and hydroelectric power.
  • Sardar Sarovar Project.
  • SSC MTS 2017: What is the main objective of multipurpose river valley projects?
  • To provide irrigation, power, flood control, and water supply.
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