Hirakund Dam Project – UPSC Prelims

Hirakud Dam Project:
  • Establishment:
    • It is a multipurpose scheme conceived by Er. M. Visveswaraya in 1937, after recurrence of devastating floods in Mahanadi river. Its first hydro power was commissioned in 1956.
  • Location:
    • The dam is built across river Mahanadi at about 15 km upstream of Sambalpur town in the state of Odisha.
  • Objectives:
    • Irrigation: The project provides irrigation in the districts of Sambalpur, Bargarh, Bolangir and Subarnapur.
    • Power Generation: The installed capacity for power generation is 347.5 MW through its two power houses at Burla, at the right bank and Chiplima, at 22 km downstream of the dam.
    • Flood Control: The project provides flood protection to Mahanadi basin including 9500 sq. km of delta area in districts of Cuttack and Puri.
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