Explanation: The Bhakhra Dam, located in Himachal Pradesh, is the highest gravity dam in India. A gravity dam is a type of dam that relies on its weight and the material it is made of to resist the force of the water it holds back. The Bhakhra Dam is a massive structure that stands at a height of 225.5 meters and is a significant part of the Bhakra-Nangal project, which includes the Nangal Dam downstream.
The construction of the Bhakhra Dam was a monumental engineering achievement, completed in 1963. It is not only the highest gravity dam in India but also one of the largest in the world. The dam serves multiple purposes, including hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and flood control. It has a capacity of 9.34 billion cubic meters of water and is a crucial component in the economic development of the region, providing water for irrigation to vast areas of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
The Bhakhra Dam is part of a larger system that includes the Nangal Dam, which is a barrage downstream. The Nangal Dam is not a gravity dam but a barrage, which is a type of dam that is used primarily for controlling the flow of water and distributing it for various uses such as irrigation and water supply. The Nangal Dam is not as high as the Bhakhra Dam and does not serve the same primary function of holding back a large volume of water.
Other dams in India, such as the Hirakud Dam in Odisha and the Beas Dam in Himachal Pradesh, are significant in their own right but do not match the height and gravity dam classification of the Bhakhra Dam. The Hirakud Dam is known for its length and is primarily used for flood control and irrigation, while the Beas Dam is a hydroelectric dam but not the highest gravity dam in India.
In summary, the Bhakhra Dam is the highest gravity dam in India due to its significant height and the engineering principles it employs to hold back a large volume of water. It is a critical infrastructure project that supports the economic and agricultural needs of the region.