Which is the Longest Dam in India?

India is a land of large rivers. These rivers provide water for irrigation, drinking and power generation. India has hundreds of dams across the country to manage water sharing among different states and regions. Some of these dams are tall, some are large, and some are long. But which is the longest dam in India, do you know? Let’s explore this article and learn about the longest dam in India with quick facts.

Which Is The Longest Dam in India?

The longest dam in India is the Hirakud Dam, which is located in the Odisha state. This dam is constructed at Sambalpur city on the Mahanadi River, and the length of the Hirakud Dam is 25.79 km (approximately 16 miles). This makes it the longest dam in India as well as in the world.

The length of the main part of the dam is 4.8 kilometres. Along with two large earthen walls (called dykes) on both sides, the total length becomes 25.79 km.

Quick Facts About Hirakud Dam

Here are some important facts about the Hirakud Dam that every Indian should know:

What Is The History Of The Hirakud Dam?

Before this dam was built, the Mahanadi River used to flood every year in this region. These floods have resulted in the loss of farms and houses in Odisha. The Mahanadi River is also called the "Sorrow of Odisha" due to all the destruction it did. After a very big flood in 1937, the British Governor of Odisha, Sir Hawthorne Lewis, laid the foundation stone for this dam in 1946.

After independence, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru laid the first stone of the dam on 12th April, 1948, and this dam was completed in 1957. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru officially inaugurated the project on 13th January 1957.

The total cost of the construction of this dam was approximately Rs. It was worth 101 crore at that time and thousands of crores now.

What Are The Objectives Of The Construction Of The Hirakud Dam?

The objectives of the construction of the Hirakud Dam were:

1. Flood Control: The dam is used for flood control of the Mahanadi River. It safeguards an area of about 9,500 sq km of land in Cuttack and Puri districts against flood damage.

2. Irrigation (Farming): The dam provides water for farming to over 4.36 lakh hectares of farmland in the Mahanadi delta. It is suitable for both Kharif (summer) and Rabi (winter) crops in the districts such as Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir and Subarnapur.

3. Electricity Generation: The dam has two power stations, named Burla and Chiplima. They generate a total of 347.5 MW of electricity together. The power is utilised in households, industries and businesses in Odisha.

The Hirakud Reservoir: India's Largest Artificial Lake

The Hirakud Dam has formed a very large lake (water storage) known as the Hirakud Reservoir, which is also one of the biggest man-made lakes in India. Here is some information about the reservoir:

• The lake is approximately 746 km² in size

• The shoreline (edge of the lake) is more than 640 kilometres in length

• The total water storage is approximately 5.8 billion cubic metres.

Note: In October 2021, the Hirakud Reservoir was declared a Ramsar Site.

So, now I think everyone knows which is the longest dam in India. It is the Hirakud Dam, the longest dam in India, having a total length of 25.79 km. It is constructed on the Mahanadi River in Odisha, and was completed in 1957. It helps farmers get water, controls floods and generates electricity for lakhs of people. It is indeed a fine illustration of the engineering talent and foresight of India. This dam should be a source of pride for every Indian.