Geography question from JKAS Prelims, 2018 by JKPSC
The first multi-purpose river valley project completed in India is :
Last updated Jun 24, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option D —
Damodar
Explanation
The Damodar Valley Project, managed by the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), was the first multipurpose river valley project of independent India. It was established on July 7, 1948, based on the model of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in the United States.
Damodar (D): Designed to control flooding in the Damodar River (once known as the "Sorrow of Bengal"), provide irrigation, and generate hydroelectric power in West Bengal and Bihar (now Jharkhand).
Bhakra-Nangal (B): While it is one of the largest and most famous projects, its construction began later and it was dedicated to the nation in 1963.
Hirakud (C): Located on the Mahanadi River in Odisha, it was also one of the first major projects but was formally inaugurated in 1957.
Periyar (A): The Mullaperiyar Dam is much older (completed in 1895), but it does not hold the title of the first modern multipurpose project of independent India.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
