River Valley Projects of Jharkhand – A Complete Overview

River Valley Projects in Jharkhand are multi-purpose in nature, fulfilling objectives like irrigation, flood control, power generation, and fisheries. Below is a comprehensive overview of the major river valley projects operating in Jharkhand.

What is a Multipurpose River Valley Project?

• Projects built for more than one purpose such as irrigation, hydropower, flood control, drinking water, and fisheries.
• Constructed by building dams on rivers.
• These projects are vital for the agricultural and industrial development of Jharkhand.

Damodar Valley Project (DVC) – India’s First Multipurpose River Valley Project

• Started in 1948, this was the first multipurpose river valley project in India.
• Joint venture of Jharkhand and West Bengal.
• Inspired by the Tennessee Valley Project (USA).
• Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) was established on 7 July 1948, with its headquarters in Kolkata.

Key Infrastructure under DVC:

• 8 Major Dams
• 1 Barrage (Durgapur Barrage)
• 6 Hydel Power Plants – Tilaiya, Maithon, Bal Pahari, Panchet, Bermo, Konar
• 3 Thermal Power Stations – Bokaro, Chandrapura, Durgapur

Important Dams & Related Rivers:

• Other dams include:
  • Bal Pahari on Barakar River
  • Bermo and Panchet on Damodar River
  • Bokaro Dam on Bokaro River (a Damodar tributary)

Power Capacity:

• Thermal Power: 2000 MW
• Hydel Power: 147.2 MW
• Total Power Generation Capacity: ⭐ 2147.2 MW

Irrigation:

• The project irrigates around 8 lakh hectares of land.

Subarnarekha Multipurpose Project – Supported by World Bank

• Joint project between Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha.
• Started in 1982-83.
• Supported by the World Bank.

Major Dams and Sites:

Hydel Power:

• 130 MW of electricity generated near Hundru Falls.

Environmental Concern:

• Presence of uranium mines like Narwapahar, Turamdih, and Baghjata near the river.
• Causes radioactive waste discharge, leading to serious water pollution.

Mayurakshi Project – Canada-assisted Dam 🇨🇦

• A joint project of Jharkhand and West Bengal.
• Constructed on the Mayurakshi River.
• In 1955, Masanjore Dam (also called Canada Dam) built near Masanjore, Dumka.
• Tilpara Barrage also constructed on this river.

North Koel Project – Stalled But Important

• Proposed on North Koel River, started in 1972.
• Dam and power house construction at Kutku, Latehar district.
• Aims to provide:
  • Irrigation to Garhwa and Palamu districts in Jharkhand.
  • Water supply to Bihar’s Gaya and Aurangabad districts.
  • Electricity generation also proposed.

Koel-Karo Project – Discontinued Due to Protest

• Proposed on South Koel River and its tributary Karo River.
• Project scrapped in 2003 due to public opposition and land displacement issues.

Key Exam-Focused Facts (Frequently Asked in Jharkhand Exams):

• DVC (1948) – India’s first multipurpose river valley project.
• Chandil Dam – Frequently asked; part of Subarnarekha project.
• Masanjore Dam (1955) – Built with Canadian aid on Mayurakshi River.
• Total power generation of DVC in Jharkhand – ⭐ 2147.2 MW
• Subarnarekha Uranium Issue – Radioactive pollution concern.
• Koel-Karo Project – Cancelled in 2003 due to mass protests.
• Ichha Dam – Work stopped due to resistance.