1. Kallanai Dam (1st Century CE): Located on the Kaveri River in Tamil Nadu, the Kallanai Dam, also known as the Grand Anicut, is one of the oldest water-diversion structures in the world. It was built by the Chola dynasty during the reign of King Karikalan and served as an irrigation system.
2. Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) Dams (1948 onwards): After India’s independence, the Damodar Valley Corporation was established to control floods and generate hydroelectric power in the Damodar River basin. Dams like the Maithon, Panchet, and Konar were constructed in the states of Jharkhand and West Bengal.
3. Bhakra-Nangal Dam (1948): The Bhakra-Nangal Dam, situated on the Sutlej River in Himachal Pradesh, is one of the largest multipurpose river valley projects in India. It was built to control floods, provide irrigation water to Punjab and Rajasthan, and generate hydroelectric power.
4. Hirakud Dam (1957): Located on the Mahanadi River in Odisha, the Hirakud Dam is the longest earthen dam in the world. It was constructed for flood control, irrigation, and power generation.
5. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam (1967): Spanning the Krishna River between the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is one of the earliest and largest hydroelectric projects in India. It provides irrigation water and electricity to the surrounding regions.
6. Tehri Dam (2006): Situated on the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand, the Tehri Dam is one of the tallest dams in India and the world. It was constructed for hydroelectric power generation and also provides water for irrigation and drinking purposes.
7. Sardar Sarovar Dam (2017): Located on the Narmada River in Gujarat, the Sardar Sarovar Dam is one of the largest dams in India. It was built for irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydropower generation.
