Major Dams of India

Andhra Pradesh

Krishna River Basin

• Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
  • River: Krishna
  • Height: 124 meters
  • Type: Masonry dam
  • Capacity: 11.5 billion cubic meters
  • Significance: One of the largest masonry dams in the world
  • States: Shared with Telangana
  • Purpose: Irrigation, hydroelectric power (815.6 MW)
• Srisailam Dam
  • River: Krishna
  • Height: 145 meters
  • Type: Concrete dam
  • Capacity: 8.7 billion cubic meters
  • Features: Underground powerhouse
  • Hydroelectric: 1,670 MW capacity
  • States: Shared with Telangana
• Almatti Dam
  • River: Krishna (Upper Krishna Project)
  • Height: 49 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Interstate Dispute: Karnataka-Maharashtra-Andhra Pradesh
  • Significance: Part of Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal

Godavari River Basin

• Polavaram Dam (Under Construction)
  • River: Godavari
  • Height: 48.2 meters
  • Type: Earth-cum-rockfill dam
  • Status: National project
  • Controversies: Displacement issues, environmental concerns
  • Significance: Largest irrigation project in AP
• Dowleswaram Barrage
  • River: Godavari
  • Type: Barrage
  • Historical: Built by British (1852)
  • Purpose: Irrigation for delta region

Other Rivers

• Somasila Dam
  • River: Pennar
  • Purpose: Irrigation and drinking water
  • Location: Nellore district

Arunachal Pradesh

• Ranganadi Dam
  • River: Ranganadi
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Capacity: 405 MW
  • Significance: Major hydroelectric project in Northeast
• Subansiri Lower Project (Under Construction)
  • River: Subansiri
  • Capacity: 2,000 MW
  • Controversy: Environmental concerns, local opposition
  • Status: Construction halted, resuming gradually

Assam

• Kopili Dam
  • River: Kopili
  • Type: Earth-rockfill dam
  • Capacity: 200 MW
  • Purpose: Hydroelectric power generation

Bihar

• Kosi Barrage
  • River: Kosi
  • Location: Hanuman Nagar (Nepal border)
  • Purpose: Flood control, irrigation
  • Significance: Controls “Sorrow of Bihar”
  • International: Shared with Nepal

Chhattisgarh

• Minimata Bango Dam
  • River: Hasdeo
  • Purpose: Irrigation, drinking water
  • Environmental Concerns: Coal mining impact
• Tandula Dam
  • River: Tandula
  • Purpose: Irrigation
  • Location: Balod district

Gujarat

Narmada River Basin

• Sardar Sarovar Dam
  • River: Narmada
  • Height: 163 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Significance: World’s second-largest concrete dam
  • Controversy: Displacement, environmental issues, NBA movement
  • States: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra
  • Purpose: Irrigation, hydroelectric (1,450 MW), drinking water

Other Rivers

• Ukai Dam
  • River: Tapi
  • Height: 80 meters
  • Type: Masonry dam
  • Capacity: 300 MW
  • Purpose: Multipurpose project
  • Significance: Largest reservoir in Gujarat
• Kadana Dam
  • River: Mahi
  • Type: Composite masonry-cum-concrete dam
  • Capacity: 240 MW
  • Purpose: Irrigation, power generation

Haryana

• Hathnikund Barrage
  • River: Yamuna
  • Purpose: Water diversion for irrigation
  • Significance: Head works of Western Yamuna Canal
• Kaushalya Dam
  • River: Kaushalya
  • Purpose: Water supply to NCR region

Himachal Pradesh

Sutlej River Basin

• Bhakra Dam
  • River: Sutlej
  • Height: 225.5 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Significance: Highest straight gravity dam in India when built
  • Capacity: 1,325 MW (with Nangal)
  • Historical: Nehru called it “Temple of Modern India”
  • States: Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana benefit
• Nangal Dam
  • River: Sutlej
  • Height: 29 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Purpose: Part of Bhakra-Nangal project
  • Significance: Forms Govind Sagar reservoir
• Nathpa Jhakri Dam
  • River: Sutlej
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Capacity: 1,500 MW
  • Features: Run-of-river project
  • Significance: Largest hydel project in India (commissioned)
• Kol Dam
  • River: Sutlej
  • Height: 167 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Capacity: 800 MW
  • Features: Advanced technology

Beas River Basin

• Pong Dam (Maharana Pratap Sagar)
  • River: Beas
  • Height: 133 meters
  • Type: Earth-rockfill dam
  • Capacity: 396 MW
  • Wildlife: Important bird sanctuary
  • Ramsar Site: Recognized wetland
• Dehar Power House
  • River: Beas
  • Type: Underground powerhouse
  • Capacity: 990 MW
  • Features: Longest tunnel system

Ravi River Basin

• Chamera Dam (3 stages)
  • River: Ravi
  • Total Capacity: 540 MW + 300 MW + 231 MW
  • Type: Multiple concrete dams
  • Significance: Staged development

Chenab River Basin

• Salal Dam
  • River: Chenab
  • Height: 113 meters
  • Type: Rock-fill dam
  • Capacity: 690 MW
  • Location: J&K (originally, now transferred projects)

Jharkhand

Damodar River Basin

• Tilaiya Dam
  • River: Barakar (tributary of Damodar)
  • Type: Earth dam
  • Purpose: Part of DVC (Damodar Valley Corporation)
  • Significance: First multipurpose project of independent India
• Maithon Dam
  • River: Barakar
  • Height: 65 meters
  • Type: Earth dam
  • Capacity: 60 MW
  • Purpose: Flood control, irrigation, power
• Panchet Dam
  • River: Damodar
  • Height: 61 meters
  • Type: Earth dam
  • Purpose: Flood control
  • Significance: Part of DVC system
• Konar Dam
  • River: Konar
  • Type: Earth dam
  • Purpose: Part of DVC system

Other Rivers

• Getalsud Dam
  • River: Koel
  • Purpose: Irrigation
  • Significance: Tribal area development

Karnataka

Krishna River Basin

• Alamatti Dam
  • River: Krishna
  • Height: 49 meters
  • Type: Masonry dam
  • Controversy: Interstate disputes
  • Purpose: Irrigation primarily
• Narayanpur Dam
  • River: Krishna
  • Purpose: Irrigation
  • Part: Upper Krishna Project

Cauvery River Basin

• Krishna Raja Sagara (KRS) Dam
  • River: Cauvery
  • Height: 40 meters
  • Type: Gravity masonry dam
  • Historical: Built by Mysore Kingdom (1931)
  • Significance: First major multipurpose project in India
  • Tourism: Brindavan Gardens
  • Capacity: 49 MW
• Kabini Dam
  • River: Kabini (tributary of Cauvery)
  • Purpose: Irrigation, power generation
  • Wildlife: Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary nearby
• Harangi Dam
  • River: Harangi (tributary of Cauvery)
  • Purpose: Irrigation
  • Significance: Part of Cauvery basin management
• Hemavathy Dam
  • River: Hemavathy (tributary of Cauvery)
  • Purpose: Irrigation, power generation

Tungabhadra River Basin

• Tungabhadra Dam
  • River: Tungabhadra
  • Height: 49.4 meters
  • Type: Masonry dam
  • Capacity: 72 MW
  • States: Karnataka-Andhra Pradesh joint project
  • Historical: Near ancient Hampi
  • Purpose: Irrigation, power, flood control

Sharavathi River Basin

• Linganamakki Dam
  • River: Sharavathi
  • Height: 61 meters
  • Type: Masonry dam
  • Purpose: Hydroelectric power generation
  • Features: Creates beautiful reservoir
• Gerusoppa Dam
  • River: Sharavathi
  • Purpose: Power generation

Other Rivers

• Bhadra Dam
  • River: Bhadra
  • Purpose: Irrigation, wildlife sanctuary
  • Location: Chikmagalur district

Kerala

Periyar River Basin

• Idukki Dam
  • River: Periyar
  • Height: 168.9 meters
  • Type: Double curvature arch dam
  • Significance: First arch dam in India
  • Capacity: 780 MW
  • Setting: Picturesque hill station
• Mullaperiyar Dam
  • River: Periyar
  • Height: 53.6 meters
  • Built: 1895 (British era)
  • Type: Masonry gravity dam
  • Controversy: Tamil Nadu operates, Kerala concerned about safety
  • Interstate Dispute: Major TN-Kerala issue
  • Age: One of oldest dams in India
• Idamalayar Dam
  • River: Idamalayar (tributary of Periyar)
  • Height: 169 meters
  • Type: Arch dam
  • Purpose: Hydroelectric power generation

Other Rivers

• Parambikulam Dam
  • River: Parambikulam (tributary of Chalakudy)
  • Interstate: Kerala-Tamil Nadu project
  • Purpose: Water transfer to Tamil Nadu
  • Wildlife: Tiger reserve nearby
• Walayar Dam
  • River: Walayar
  • Purpose: Hydroelectric power
  • Location: Palakkad district

Madhya Pradesh

Narmada River Basin

• Indira Sagar Dam
  • River: Narmada
  • Height: 92 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Capacity: 1,000 MW
  • Significance: Largest reservoir by volume in India
  • Volume: 12.22 billion cubic meters
• Omkareshwar Dam
  • River: Narmada
  • Height: 65 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Capacity: 520 MW
  • Religious: Near Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga
• Maheshwar Dam
  • River: Narmada
  • Height: 39 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Capacity: 400 MW
  • Controversy: Displacement, private sector involvement
• Bargi Dam
  • River: Narmada
  • Height: 69 meters
  • Type: Earth-rockfill dam
  • Capacity: 90 MW
  • Purpose: Irrigation, power generation

Chambal River Basin

• Gandhi Sagar Dam
  • River: Chambal
  • Height: 62 meters
  • Type: Masonry and earth dam
  • Capacity: 115 MW
  • Purpose: Irrigation, power generation
  • States: Part of Chambal Valley Project
• Rana Pratap Sagar Dam
  • River: Chambal
  • Height: 54 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Capacity: 172 MW
  • Location: Near Kota, Rajasthan
• Jawahar Sagar Dam
  • River: Chambal
  • Height: 45 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Capacity: 99 MW
  • Purpose: Power generation primarily

Son River Basin

• Bansagar Dam
  • River: Son
  • Height: 67 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • States: Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar
  • Purpose: Irrigation, power generation

Betwa River Basin

• Rajghat Dam
  • River: Betwa
  • Height: 39 meters
  • Type: Masonry dam
  • Purpose: Irrigation
  • Location: Near Lalitpur
• Matatila Dam
  • River: Betwa
  • Height: 49 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • States: Madhya Pradesh-Uttar Pradesh
  • Purpose: Irrigation, power generation

Tapti River Basin

• Tawa Dam
  • River: Tawa (tributary of Narmada)
  • Height: 61.6 meters
  • Type: Earth dam
  • Purpose: Irrigation
  • Significance: Large irrigation potential

Maharashtra

Krishna River Basin

• Koyna Dam
  • River: Koyna (tributary of Krishna)
  • Height: 103 meters
  • Type: Rubble-concrete dam
  • Capacity: 1,960 MW
  • Significance: Largest hydroelectric project in Maharashtra
  • Seismic Activity: Earthquake-prone area
  • Environmental: Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary
• Ujjani Dam
  • River: Bhima (tributary of Krishna)
  • Height: 61 meters
  • Type: Earth dam
  • Purpose: Irrigation
  • Significance: Large irrigation project

Godavari River Basin

• Jayakwadi Dam
  • River: Godavari
  • Height: 41.6 meters
  • Type: Earth dam
  • Purpose: Irrigation
  • Significance: Major project in Marathwada
  • Bird Sanctuary: Important for migratory birds

Tapti River Basin

• Kakrapar Dam
  • River: Tapti
  • Purpose: Irrigation
  • Nuclear Plant: Nearby nuclear power station

Other Rivers

• Khadakwasla Dam
  • River: Mutha
  • Purpose: Water supply to Pune
  • Historical: Built during British period
  • Recreation: Popular tourist spot
• Mulshi Dam
  • River: Mula
  • Historical: Built by Tatas (1927)
  • Purpose: Hydroelectric power for Mumbai
  • Significance: Early industrial development

Odisha

• Hirakud Dam
  • River: Mahanadi
  • Length: 25.8 km (including dykes)
  • Type: Earth dam
  • Significance: Longest earthen dam in India
  • Capacity: 347.5 MW
  • Historical: First major multipurpose project after independence (1957)
  • Purpose: Flood control, irrigation, power generation
  • Reservoir: One of largest man-made lakes
• Balimela Dam
  • River: Sileru
  • Height: 49 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Capacity: 360 MW
  • Interstate: Andhra Pradesh-Odisha
• Rengali Dam
  • River: Brahmani
  • Height: 65 meters
  • Type: Earth-rockfill dam
  • Purpose: Multipurpose project
• Machkund Dam
  • River: Machkund
  • Capacity: 120 MW
  • Interstate: Odisha-Andhra Pradesh
  • Historical: One of earliest hydel projects

Punjab

• Ranjit Sagar Dam (Thein Dam)
  • River: Ravi
  • Height: 160 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Capacity: 600 MW
  • States: Punjab-Jammu & Kashmir
• Karcham Wangtoo Dam
  • River: Sutlej
  • Height: 111 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Capacity: 1,000 MW
  • Location: Himachal Pradesh (benefits Punjab)

Rajasthan

• Rana Pratap Sagar Dam
  • River: Chambal
  • Height: 54 meters
  • Capacity: 172 MW
  • Part: Chambal Valley Project
  • States: Rajasthan-Madhya Pradesh
• Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam
  • River: Mahi
  • Height: 88 meters
  • Type: Earth-rockfill dam
  • Capacity: 140 MW
  • Purpose: Irrigation, power generation
• Bisalpur Dam
  • River: Banas
  • Height: 39 meters
  • Type: Earth-rockfill dam
  • Purpose: Water supply to Jaipur, Ajmer

Tamil Nadu

Cauvery River Basin

• Mettur Dam
  • River: Cauvery
  • Height: 65 meters
  • Type: Masonry dam
  • Significance: Largest dam in Tamil Nadu
  • Capacity: 200 MW
  • Purpose: Irrigation (Cauvery delta), power generation
  • Built: 1934
• Bhavanisagar Dam
  • River: Bhavani (tributary of Cauvery)
  • Height: 32 meters
  • Type: Masonry dam
  • Purpose: Irrigation

Other Rivers

• Vaigai Dam
  • River: Vaigai
  • Height: 60 meters
  • Type: Masonry dam
  • Purpose: Irrigation, water supply to Madurai
• Aliyar Dam
  • River: Aliyar
  • Purpose: Irrigation
  • Scenic: Popular tourist destination
• Sathanur Dam
  • River: Ponnaiyar
  • Height: 58 meters
  • Type: Masonry dam
  • Purpose: Irrigation, drinking water

Telangana

• Nagarjuna Sagar Dam (Shared with AP)
• Srisailam Dam (Shared with AP)
• Nizamsagar Dam
  • River: Manjira
  • Historical: Built during Nizam period
  • Purpose: Irrigation

Tripura

• Dumbur Dam
  • River: Gomati
  • Height: 32 meters
  • Type: Earth dam
  • Capacity: 15 MW
  • Purpose: Hydroelectric power generation

Uttar Pradesh

• Rihand Dam
  • River: Rihand
  • Height: 91.44 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Significance: Creates largest artificial lake in India (Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar)
  • Capacity: 300 MW
  • Purpose: Power generation
• Matatila Dam (Shared with MP)
• Rajghat Dam (Shared with MP)

Uttarakhand

• Tehri Dam
  • River: Bhagirathi
  • Height: 260.5 meters
  • Type: Earth-rockfill dam
  • Significance: Highest dam in India
  • Capacity: 2,400 MW
  • Controversy: Displacement, seismic concerns, environmental impact
  • Purpose: Hydroelectric power, irrigation, drinking water supply to Delhi
• Koteshwar Dam
  • River: Bhagirathi
  • Height: 97 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Capacity: 400 MW
  • Part: Tehri Hydro Development Corporation
• Srinagar Dam (Alaknanda HEP)
  • River: Alaknanda
  • Capacity: 330 MW
  • Controversy: Environmental concerns

West Bengal

• Farakka Barrage
  • River: Ganga
  • Type: Barrage (not a dam)
  • Purpose: Water diversion to Hooghly
  • Controversy: Bangladesh water disputes
  • International: Major Indo-Bangladesh issue
• Durgapur Barrage
  • River: Damodar
  • Type: Barrage
  • Part: DVC system
  • Purpose: Irrigation, navigation
• Teesta Barrage
  • River: Teesta
  • Purpose: Irrigation
  • International: Water sharing dispute with Bangladesh

International Dams of Global Significance

China

• Three Gorges Dam
  • River: Yangtze
  • Height: 185 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Significance: World’s largest hydroelectric power station (22,500 MW)
  • Controversy: Massive displacement, environmental concerns
  • Strategic: Flood control, navigation, power generation
• Jinping-I Dam
  • River: Yalong
  • Height: 305 meters
  • Significance: World’s tallest concrete arch dam
  • Capacity: 3,600 MW

United States

• Hoover Dam
  • River: Colorado
  • Height: 221 meters
  • Type: Concrete arch-gravity dam
  • Historical: Built during Great Depression (1936)
  • Significance: Engineering marvel, Lake Mead creation
  • Interstate: Nevada-Arizona border
• Grand Coulee Dam
  • River: Columbia
  • Height: 168 meters
  • Significance: Largest concrete structure in North America
  • Capacity: 6,809 MW
  • Purpose: Irrigation, flood control, power generation

Canada

• Daniel-Johnson Dam
  • River: Manicouagan
  • Height: 214 meters
  • Type: Multiple-arch dam
  • Significance: World’s largest multiple-arch dam
  • Capacity: 1,596 MW

Brazil

• Itaipu Dam
  • River: Paraná
  • Height: 196 meters
  • Significance: World’s second-largest hydroelectric power station (14,000 MW)
  • International: Brazil-Paraguay joint project
  • Engineering: Massive concrete structure

Switzerland

• Grande Dixence Dam
  • River: Dixence
  • Height: 285 meters
  • Type: Concrete gravity dam
  • Significance: World’s tallest gravity dam
  • Purpose: Hydroelectric power generation

Turkey

• Atatürk Dam
  • River: Euphrates
  • Height: 169 meters
  • Type: Rock-fill dam
  • Significance: Largest dam in Turkey
  • International: Affects downstream Syria and Iraq
  • Project: Part of GAP (Southeast Anatolia Project)

Egypt

• Aswan High Dam
  • River: Nile
  • Height: 111 meters
  • Type: Embankment dam
  • Historical: Built with Soviet assistance (1970)
  • Significance: Controls Nile flooding, Lake Nasser creation
  • International: UNESCO Abu Simbel relocation

Iran

• Karun-3 Dam
  • River: Karun
  • Height: 205 meters
  • Type: Arch dam
  • Significance: Tallest dam in Iran
  • Capacity: 400 MW

Pakistan

• Mangla Dam
  • River: Jhelum
  • Height: 147 meters
  • Type: Earth-fill dam
  • Significance: Part of Indus Water Treaty projects
  • Capacity: 1,000 MW
• Tarbela Dam
  • River: Indus
  • Height: 143 meters
  • Type: Earth-fill dam
  • Significance: World’s largest earth-filled dam by volume
  • Capacity: 4,888 MW

Ethiopia

• Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)
  • River: Blue Nile
  • Height: 155 meters
  • Type: Roller-compacted concrete dam
  • Significance: Africa’s largest hydroelectric project (6,450 MW)
  • Controversy: Egypt-Sudan-Ethiopia disputes
  • Status: Under construction/filling

Key Features for UPSC

Superlatives – Indian Dams

• Highest Dam: Tehri (260.5 m)
• Longest Dam: Hirakud (25.8 km)
• Largest by Volume: Indira Sagar (Narmada)
• Highest Straight Gravity: Bhakra (225.5 m)
• First Arch Dam: Idukki
• Oldest Major Dam: Krishnarajasagar (1931)
• First Multipurpose Project: Damodar Valley Corporation
• Largest Artificial Lake: Rihand (Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar)

Technical Classifications

By Type

• Gravity Dams: Bhakra, Nagarjuna Sagar, Tehri
• Arch Dams: Idukki, Karun-3 (Iran)
• Earth Dams: Hirakud, Rihand, Tarbela (Pakistan)
• Rock-fill Dams: Tehri, Atatürk (Turkey)
• Masonry Dams: Krishnarajasagar, Mettur

By Purpose

• Multipurpose: Bhakra, Hirakud, Sardar Sarovar
• Irrigation: Nagarjuna Sagar, Jayakwadi
• Hydroelectric: Tehri, Nathpa Jhakri, Three Gorges
• Flood Control: Kosi Barrage, Farakka Barrage
• Water Supply: Bisalpur, Khadakwasla

Interstate Water Disputes

• Cauvery Dispute: Karnataka vs Tamil Nadu (Krishnarajasagar, Mettur)
• Krishna Dispute: Karnataka vs Andhra Pradesh vs Maharashtra
• Narmada Dispute: Gujarat vs Madhya Pradesh vs Maharashtra
• Ravi-Beas Dispute: Punjab vs Haryana
• Godavari Dispute: Various riparian states

Environmental and Social Issues

Major Controversies

• Sardar Sarovar: NBA movement, displacement, environmental impact
• Tehri: Seismic activity, displacement, Sunderlal Bahuguna movement
• Mullaperiyar: Safety concerns, interstate tensions
• Silent Valley: Ecological protection vs development
• Large vs Small Dams: Medha Patkar activism

Environmental Concerns

• Displacement: Over 1 crore people displaced by dams in India
• Ecological Impact: River ecosystem disruption
• Siltation: Reduced dam life, downstream impact
• Seismic Activity: Reservoir-induced seismicity
• Climate Change: Glacier-fed rivers variability

Strategic Importance

National Security

• Border Area Dams: Strategic importance in disputed regions
• Water Security: Food security through irrigation
• Energy Security: Hydroelectric power generation
• Flood Management: Disaster mitigation

International Dimensions

• Indus Water Treaty: Pakistan dams, India’s upstream projects
• Bangladesh Water Sharing: Farakka, Teesta disputes
• Nepal Cooperation: Kosi, Gandak projects
• China Factor: Brahmaputra dam concerns

Recent Developments

Government Initiatives

• Dam Rehabilitation & Improvement Project (DRIP): World Bank-assisted
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana: Irrigation focus
• Jal Jeevan Mission: Drinking water security
• National Water Mission: Water conservation

Technological Advances

• Dam Safety Guidelines: Central Water Commission regulations
• Real-time Monitoring: Sensor-based dam monitoring
• Environmental Impact Assessment: Mandatory for large projects
• Rehabilitation Policies: Better R&R frameworks

Climate Change Adaptation

• Glacier Lake Outburst Floods: Himalayan dam risks
• Extreme Weather Events: Dam safety protocols
• Water Storage: Climate-resilient infrastructure
• Renewable Energy: Pumped storage projects

Examination Relevance

Geography

• River Systems: Dam locations and river courses
• Relief Features: Impact on dam construction
• Climate: Monsoon pattern impact on reservoir levels
• Natural Disasters: Floods, earthquakes, dam safety

Environment and Ecology

• Ecosystem Disruption: Aquatic life impact
• Forest Submergence: Biodiversity loss
• Mitigation Measures: Fish ladders, compensatory afforestation
• Sustainable Development: Balancing development and conservation

Current Affairs

• Policy Announcements: New dam projects, safety measures
• Interstate Disputes: Water sharing tribunals
• International Cooperation: Cross-border projects
• Technology Integration: Smart dam management

Economics

• Cost-Benefit Analysis: Economic viability of large dams
• Employment Generation: Construction and maintenance jobs
• Agricultural Productivity: Irrigation impact
• Industrial Development: Power generation benefits

Polity and Governance

• Centre-State Relations: Water as state subject
• Tribunal System: Interstate water disputes resolution
• Environmental Clearances: Regulatory framework
• Right to Information: Dam safety information

International Relations

• Water Diplomacy: Transboundary river management
• Regional Cooperation: SAARC water initiatives
• Development Cooperation: Technology transfer
• Conflict Prevention: Water as security issue

Key Statistics

• Total Large Dams: 5,200+ (India has 4th largest number globally)
• Under Construction: 400+ large dams
• Average Age: Many dams over 50 years old
• Investment: ₹4+ lakh crore in water infrastructure (recent budget)
• Irrigation Potential: 140+ million hectares (ultimate potential)
• Hydroelectric Potential: 148,700 MW (economically exploitable)