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:
Dam Name
River
District
Catchment Area (sq. km)
Inauguration Date
Tilaiya
Barakar
Koderma
984
⭐ 21-Feb-1953
Konar
Konar
Hazaribagh
997
⭐ 15-Oct-1955
Maithon
Barakar
Dhanbad
6293
⭐ 27-Sept-1957
Panchet
Damodar
Dhanbad
10966
⭐ 06-Dec-1959
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:
Dam Name
River
District
Year
Getalsud Dam
Subarnarekha
Ranchi
1971
Chandil Dam ⭐
Subarnarekha
Seraikela-Kharsawan
⭐ 1982
Ichha Dam
Kharkai
Seraikela-Kharsawan, West Singhbhum
1983 (Work halted due to protest)
Galudih Dam
Subarnarekha
East Singhbhum
1983
Gajia Dam
Kharkai
East Singhbhum
–
Palna Dam
Subarnarekha
Seraikela-Kharsawan
Proposed
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
