India has a large number of dams that provide irrigation, hydroelectric power, flood control, and water supply across the country. The exact number of dams in India has been estimated by different organizations and varies from source to source. However, most estimates put the total number of large dams in India at over 5000.
Overview of Dams in India
Dams in India are primarily built and managed by governmental organizations such as the Central Water Commission (CWC), various State Electricity Boards and State Water Resource Departments. Dams in India can be classified based on their purpose as follows:
- Multi-purpose dams – for irrigation, hydroelectric power and flood control
- Irrigation dams – mainly for irrigation purposes
- Hydroelectric dams – for generating electricity
- Flood control dams
Some of the largest dams in India which have reservoirs with huge water storage capacity include the Tehri Dam, Bhakra Nangal Dam, Hirakud Dam, Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, and the Sardar Sarovar Dam. These giant dams are over 100 meters in height.
Estimates of Total Number of Dams in India
The Central Water Commission is the primary government agency responsible for monitoring and regulating dams in India. According to the CWC, there are 5334 completed large dams in India currently. The CWC defines a large dam as one which meets any of the following criteria:
- Height greater than 15 meters from lowest foundation to crest
- Length greater than 500 meters
- Reservoir storage capacity greater than 60 million cubic meters
In addition to the completed large dams, there are several large dam projects currently under construction. The CWC lists 447 dams as under construction as of December 2022.
Apart from the large dams, India also has thousands of smaller dams and barrages. A 2012 report by the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP) estimated the total number of completed dams in India including small dams to be around 5100. Their report stated that India ranks third globally after USA and China in terms of number of large dams.
According to the National Register of Large Dams maintained by the CWC, the state with the most number of completed large dams is Maharashtra with over 700 dams. Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh also have several hundred completed large dams as per CWC data.
Growth Trend of Dams in India
The construction of new dams gathered pace in India after independence to support irrigation and power generation needs of the growing population. The chart below illustrates the growth trend in the number of large dams in the country since independence based on CWC data:
| Year | Number of completed large dams |
|---|---|
| 1947 | 300 |
| 1967 | 1200 |
| 1987 | 3000 |
| 2007 | 4500 |
| 2022 | 5334 |
As seen above, the total number of large dams rose rapidly from just 300 at the time of independence in 1947 to over 5000 dams as of 2022. The peak years of dam building were the 1960s to the 1980s.
Irrigation Statistics
Irrigation is one of the main purposes of dams built in India. The total area equipped for irrigation in India currently stands at about 96 million hectares. Surface water irrigation from dams, canals, tanks and other systems account for around 48% of the net irrigated area. This highlights the importance of dams and reservoirs in providing water for agriculture in the country.
Some key facts about surface irrigation from dams in India:
- Total area irrigated by surface water systems – 46 million hectares
- Major surface irrigation systems – Major & Medium Irrigation (58%), Minor Irrigation (42%)
- Major states for dam irrigation – Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra
Several large irrigation projects fueled by networks of dams provide water to millions of hectares of farmland across states like Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka among others. Some examples:
- Indira Gandhi Canal Project in Rajasthan irrigates over 1 million hectares
- Kakrapara Irrigation Project in Gujarat irrigates 500,000 hectares
- Malaprabha Irrigation Project in Karnataka irrigates over 200,000 hectares
Hydroelectricity Generation
Dams are hugely important for hydroelectric power generation in India. The installed hydroelectric capacity is currently around 46,000 MW which contributes about 12% of the total electricity generation. The state and central organizations like NHPC Ltd and NTPC are major players in hydroelectric power generation along with some private companies.
Some key figures about hydroelectricity generation in India:
- Installed hydro capacity – 46 GW (46,000 MW)
- Actual generation (2021-22) – 150 billion units
- Share in total electricity generation – Around 12%
- States with most hydro capacity – Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir
Some of the largest hydroelectric power projects in India are listed below:
| Project | Capacity |
|---|---|
| Tehri Hydro Power Complex | 2400 MW |
| Karcham Wangtoo Hydro Plant | 1000 MW |
| Sardar Sarovar Dam | 1450 MW |
| Nathpa Jhakri Dam | 1500 MW |
| Koyna Hydroelectric Project | 1960 MW |
Flood Control
Some dams in India are specifically constructed for flood control and diversion of excess water during heavy rains and floods. They regulate the flow of the river to prevent downstream flooding. For example, the Hathnikund barrage in Haryana helps control floods in the Yamuna river and saves Delhi from flooding.
Other major flood control dams in India include:
- Pahuj Dam – for Yamuna River
- Mandakini Dam – for Chambal River
- Gandhisagar Dam – for Chambal River
- Kosi Barrage – for Kosi River
Major Dam Projects Under Construction
While the era of big dam construction is over, some large dam projects are still under development in India. According to CWC, the major dam projects currently under construction are:
| Dam | River | Purpose | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subansiri Lower | Subansiri River | Hydropower | 80% complete |
| Teesta Low Dam – Stage IV | Teesta River | Hydropower | 75% complete |
| Kishanganga | Jhelum River | Hydropower | 90% complete |
| Dibang Multipurpose | Dibang River | Power, Flood Control | 40% complete |
| Tawang Stage – I & II | Tawang Chhu | Hydropower | 20% complete |
Issues and Controversies Around Dams
While dams in India meet several needs like irrigation, power and flood control, they have also been mired in many controversies and disputes related to:
- Displacement – It is estimated over 16 million people have been displaced by dam construction in India over the decades.
- Environmental impact – Dams are alleged to contribute to deforestation and loss of biodiversity in upstream areas and river ecology.
- Geological instability – Reservoirs inducing seismic activity and landslides in the fragile Himalayan region.
- Inter-state water disputes – Dams on rivers like Narmada, Godavari, Krishna have led to disputes over water allocation between states.
Public opposition has stopped or delayed many dam projects in India. The environmental and social impacts of dams remain a highly contentious topic in India’s dam building saga.
Comparison with Other Major Dam Building Countries
After the United States and China, India ranks third globally in the total number of completed dams. Here is a comparison with other major dam building countries:
| Country | Total Dams |
|---|---|
| United States | Over 9000 |
| China | Over 24000 |
| India | Over 5000 |
| Japan | Over 3000 |
| South Korea | Over 1700 |
The United States and China have built several times more number of dams than India. Japan and South Korea have also undertaken major dam building programs for harnessing hydropower and flood control.
Dams vs. Other Nations – Key Facts
- USA has around 75% of its irrigation met through dams compared to 48% in India.
- Hydropower contributes 70% of Brazil’s electricity compared to just 12% in India.
- China’s installed hydro capacity at 350 GW dwarfs India’s 46 GW.
- Canada has over 900 large dams vs 500 in India.
While India has built a sizable number of dams, in percentage terms its dam infrastructure lags several developed countries.
Conclusion
India has over 5000 large completed dams currently that provide irrigation, hydropower, flood control and water supply across the country. While the pace of big dam construction has slowed, dams continue to play a vital role in India’s water management and energy security. However, dam building has also been mired in controversies due to social and environmental impacts. The exact number of dams in India varies by different accounts but most estimates peg it between 5000 to 5300 large dams as of 2022.