The Hirakud Dam is a major multipurpose project located in the state of Odisha, India.
It is built across the Mahanadi River and is one of the longest dams in the world.
It was completed in 1957 and serves various purposes, including flood control, hydroelectric power generation, and irrigation.
Among all the multi-purpose projects in India, Hirakud irrigates the largest area.
Its extensive canal system supplies water to a vast agricultural region, helping increase crop production and reduce dependence on rainfall.
Let’s briefly review the other options:
- Damodar Valley Project mainly serves Jharkhand and West Bengal, and is known for power generation and flood control.
- Bhakra Nangal is a major dam on the Sutlej River, serving Punjab and Haryana. Though important, it doesn’t cover as much irrigation area as Hirakud.
- Nagarjuna Sagar is on the Krishna River and supports irrigation in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh but still ranks below Hirakud in area covered.
Therefore, the correct answer is (C) Hirakud.