Hirakud Dam

Hirakud Dam is built across the Mahanadi River, about from Sambalpur in the state of Odisha in India. Behind the dam extends a lake, Hirakud Reservoir, 55km long. It is one of the first major multipurpose river valley projects started after India's independence.Construction historyBefore the devastating floods of 1936, Sir M. Visveswararya proposed a detailed investigation for storage reservoirs in the Mahanadi basin to tackle the problem of floods in the Mahanadi delta. In 1945, under the chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the Member of Labour, it was decided to invest in the potential benefits of controlling the Mahanadi for multi-purpose use. The Central Waterways, Irrigation and Navigation Commission took up the work.On 15 Mar 1946, Sir Hawthrone Lewis, the Governor of Odisha, laid the foundation stone of the Hirakud Dam. A project report was submitted to the government in June 1947. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru laid the first batch of concrete on 12 April 1948. The dam was completed in 1953 and was formally inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru on 13 January 1957. The total cost of the project was in 1957. Power generation along with agricultural irrigation started in 1956, achieving full potential in 1966.StructureThe Hirakud Dam is a composite structure of earth, concrete and masonry. 10km north of Sambalpur, it is the longest major earthen dam in India, measuring 25.8km including dykes, and stands across the river Mahanadi. The main dam has an overall length of 4.8km spanning between two hills; the Lamdungri on the left and the Chandili Dunguri on the right. The dam is flanked by 21km of earthen dykes on both the left and right sides, closing the low saddles beyond the adjoining hills. The dam and dykes together measure 25.8km. It also forms the biggest artificial lake in India, with a reservoir holding 743km2 at full capacity, with a shoreline of over 639km. There are two observation towers on the dam one at each side. One is "Gandhi Minar" and the other one is"Nehru Minar". Both the observation towers present breathtaking views of the lake.