Hirakud Dam, the longest dam in India, is built on which river?
a) Mahanadi
b) Godavari
c) Narmada
d) Krishna
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Answer: a) Mahanadi
Explanation
- Hirakud Dam: Built across the Mahanadi River near Sambalpur in Odisha, Hirakud is the longest dam in India (and one of the longest major earth dams in the world), stretching over 25.8 km total (including dykes) with a main dam length of 4.8 km.
- Purpose: Constructed shortly after independence as a major multipurpose project to control devastating seasonal floods in the coastal plains of Odisha, provide widespread canal irrigation, and generate hydroelectric power.
- Reservoir: The dam forms the Hirakud Reservoir, which is also designated as a Ramsar Wetland site of international importance.
Overview of Other Options
- b) Godavari: Home to major dams such as the Jayakwadi Dam (Maharashtra) and the Polavaram Project (Andhra Pradesh).
- c) Narmada: Home to the Sardar Sarovar Dam (Gujarat) and the Indirasagar Dam (Madhya Pradesh).
- d) Krishna: Home to iconic dams including the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam (Telangana/Andhra Pradesh) and the Almatti Dam (Karnataka).
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