Multi Purpose River Valley Projects in India

India stands fifth in the world after Congo, Russia, Canada and the United States in potential of water power resources. Some of the Multi Purpose River Valley Projects in India are explained below.

1. The Grand Anicut also known as the Kallanai, was built by the Chola king Karikala Cholan in AD 26. It is considered as one among the oldest water-diversion structures in the world and is the first of its kind in india, which is still in use.
2. Damodar River Valley Project : This was the first multi-purpose river valley project in Free India. The project-irrigates half a million hectares of land in West Bengal and parts of south-east Bihar
3. The Bhakra Nangal Project : This is an example of water management on scientific lines on the largest scale. It is on river Sutlej. The project serves the states of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and the National Capital Territory of Delhi. It is the largest multipurpose project in India.
4. Indira Gandhi or Rajasthan Canal : It is the longest irrigation canal in the world. Indira Gandhi Canal Project in Rajasthan utilized water of Satluj, Beas and Ravi to irrigate north-western parts of the country.
5. The Kosi Project : This project in Bihar has been taken up in cooperation with Nepal. Its main aim has been to control floods brought by the river Kosi, known as the `River of Sorrow' for north Bihar. The main canal is taken off from Hanumannagar barrage on the Kosi.
6. Gandak Project : This is a joint venture of India and Nepal. Bihar and Uttar pradesh are the participating Indian states of this project.
7. Tungabhadra Project : It serves Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
8. Nagarjunasagar project : This is built on the river Krishna in Andhra Pradesh irrigates 8.67,000 hectares of land. The dam has been named after the Buddhist scholar Nagarjuna.
9. Chambal Project : It helps to irrigate parts of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The project consists of Gandhi Sagar Dam in Madhya Pradesh and Kota Barrage and Jawahar Sagar Dam in Rajasthan.
10. Farakka Barrage Project : This is designed to serve the need of preservation and maintenance of the Kolkata Port by improving the regime and navigability of the Bhagirathi-Hoogly river system.
11. Rihand Dam Project , Across river Rihand on MP-UP border in Mirzapur District. Rihand is the largest man-made lake in India. Reservoir is known as `Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar'.
12. Beas Project : A joint venture of Punjab Haryana and Rajasthan on river Beas. A dam`Pong' is built in river Beas.
13. Hirakud Project : This project is on Mahanadi river in Orissa. Its dam is longest in the world.
14. Kakrapar Project :This project is on river Tapti in Gujarat.
15. Machkund Project : This project is on river Machkund. It is joint venture of Andhra and Orissa.
16. Malaprabha Project: On river Malaprabha in Karnataka.
17. Garland Canal Project : Linked Peninsular rivers of South India and Himalayan rivers through Canals.
18. Mayurakshi Project : On River Mayurakhi in West Bengal.
19. Bhima Project have two dams. Pawna dam at river Pawna and Ujjaini dam on river Krishna in Maharashtra.
20. Tawa Irrigation Project : On river Tawa, a tributary of Narmada in Madhya Pradesh.
21. Titri Dam Project : On river Bhagirathi near Dev Prayag in Uttar Pradesh.