Dams in India

India got her independence in 1947. Since then, dams in17. Sathanur Dam
India have been built across many perennial rivers.18. Supa Dam
These dams are a part of the several multi-purpose19. Suvarnavathi Reservoir
projects launched by India to serve a variety of needs.20. Thippagondanahalli Reservoir
In a multi-purpose project, a river forms a unit and a21. Tunga Anicut Dam
river valley is developed, by exploiting all the resources22. Tungabhadra Dam
of the river.23. Vani Vilas Sagar Reservoir
Dams are built to harness the river water so that itFoundation of Dams in Karnataka
can be utilised according to needs. A multipurposeIt was Shastri who laid the foundation stone for the
project is launched often for storing water for irrigationUpper Krishna Project, of which the Alamatti dam is a
purposes, generating hydro-electricity by utilising thepart, in 1964.The noted columnist Kuldip Nayyar, who
water stored by the dams, preventing floods anddelivered a lecture on Shastri's life and contribution to
facilitating afforestation in the catchment areas of thethe nation, said the former Prime Minister had tried to
reservoirs. However, the dams also provide drinkingresolve the Kashmir dispute between India and
water, using the canals for navigation in some areasPakistan by peaceful means.In August 1965 heavy
and also facilitating pisciculture and recreationalfighting broke out between the two countries, and a
activities. The main multipurpose projects constitutingceasefire was agreed upon in September 1965.
the major Indian dams are the Hirakud Project inShastri and the then Pakistani President Ayub Khan
Orissa, the Bhakra Nangal in Punjab, the Damodarsigned the Tashkent agreement in the presence of the
Valley Project in Bihar and Bengal, the Tungabhadrathen Prime Minister of the erstwhile USSR, Alexei
Project in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the RihandKosygin, in January 1966, a few hours before Shastri's
Project in Uttar Pradesh.death. Shastri also accepted a unilateral ceasefire with
At independence, in 1947, there were fewer than 300China in 1962 and protected the country's borders, Mr.
large dams in India and by the year 2000 the numberNayyar said.
had grown to over 4000, more than half of them builtThe life of the second Prime Minister of the country
between 1971 and 1989. India is declared to be the thirdwas the absorbing saga of a little man, who, while
in the world in dam building, after US and China. Whilesuffering the rigours of poverty in early life, reached
some of the Indian dams were built primarily for floodpolitical eminence through the strength of his
control, water supply, and hydroelectric powercharacter.When Shastri died, he left behind no wealth
generation, the primary purpose of most Indian damsor property; instead he left an example, which is
(96 percent) remains irrigation. In fact, large dammorally inspiring in an age riddled with political corruption,
construction in India has been the main form ofthe columnist said.It was Shastri who for the first time
investment in irrigation undertaken by the Indianconceived the idea of an ombudsman to eradicate
government. But, starting in the 1980s, public investmentcorruption in public life, he said.Shastri gave priority to
in large dams in India has been the subject of aboosting foodgrain production and generation of
sustained controversy that was epitomized by theemployment to tackle hunger and poverty. Although
Sardar Sarovar Project, based on the balanceShastri's tenure as Prime Minister lasted only 13 months
between the social, environmental, and economic costs(June 9, 1964 to January 11, 1966), it was a period of
of dams and their benefits.high drama during which several social and political
Post independence we have made lots of progress inissues of national importance and international interest,
Dam and Water Reservoirs in India. Dams is basicallyincluding a major war against Pakistan, came up, Mr.
used for Power generation, Water supply, StabilizeNayyar said.Shastri resigned as Minister for Railways in
water flow / irrigation, Flood prevention, Land1956 holding himself responsible for a railway accident
reclamation, Water diversion, Recreation and aquaticin Tamil Nadu (Ariyalur) in which many lives were lost.
beauty. India is very rich is Dam and India is havingThe unprecedented gesture was greatly appreciated
some of the largest Dams and Reservoirs.by Parliament and the country, he said.
Tourist Spot near Dams is very much popular andThe then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, speaking in
good sources for attracting touristsParliament on the incident, extolled Shastri's integrity
There are all the states in India where dams haveand high ideals. He said he was accepting the
been established but Karnataka is very rich in havingresignation because it would set an example in
most of dams and Reservoirs. Dams in Karnataka isconstitutional propriety and not because Shastri was in
very popular serving the purpose of people ofany way responsible for what had happened.
Karnataka and Bangalore. Karnataka is much enrichedIn between his ministerial assignments, he
in terms Dams in South India.demonstrated organising abilities and figured in the
There is List of dams in KarnatakaCongress victories in the first three general elections,
1. Almatti DamMr. Nayyar said.
2. Gajanur DamMan of integrity
3. Gundal ReservoirAfter more than 30 years of dedicated service, he
4. Harangi Damcame to be known as a man of great integrity and
5. Hidkal Damcompetence. Humble, tolerant, with great inner strength
6. Kadra Damand resoluteness, he was a man of the people who
7. Kanakanala Damunderstood their language.
8. Kanva reservoirShastri was deeply influenced by the political teachings
9. Kodasalli Damof Mahatma Gandhi. His slogan "Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan"
10. Krishna Raja Sagara Damis popular even today, he said.
11. Lakkavalli DamThe Ministers M. Mallikarjun Kharge and R.V.
12. Linganamakki DamDeshpande; the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly,
13. Marconahally DamKrishna; the former Chief Minister M. Veerappa Moily;
14. Mari Kanive DamAnil Shastri, son of Lal Bahadur Shastri; and Haranahalli
15. Narihalla DamRamaswamy, former Law Minister, were present.
16. Nugu Reservoir