Question

The first multi-purpose project of India was _________.
1. Sivasamudram
2. Damodar Valley
3. Hirakud
4. Bhakra Nagal

Answer 1

Hint:
A multipurpose project is a massive project which serves a variety of purposes like- flood control, fish breeding, irrigation, generation of electricity, soil conservation, etc. whereas, the hydropower projects are those related to providing only electricity mainly.
The project was India’s first multipurpose project.
It has been situated in the region between the states of Jharkhand and West Bengal.

Complete answer:
A multipurpose project is a massive project which serves a variety of purposes like- flood control, fish breeding, irrigation, generation of electricity, soil conservation, etc.
Shivanasamudra Dam (1902) is located on the Kaveri River and was the first hydropower project in India as well as Asia. It was built in Karnataka during the British era and was designed by Diwan Sheshadri Iyer.
The Damodar Valley Project (1948), owned by Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), is the first of India's many multipurpose river projects and is built on the Damodar River.
It covers an area of 24,235 square kilometers and benefits two provinces - Jharkhand and West Bengal.
Hirakud Dam (1957) has been built on the Mahanadi River in Odisha. It is the longest dam in India and one of the earliest projects too, but was not the first multi-purpose project in Asia.
The Bhakra-Nangal project (1963) is one of India's largest projects; built on the Sutlej River. The project was a joint venture between the regions of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and the Central Government. And it is one of the highest dams in the world.

Therefore the answer is 2. Damodar Valley

Note:
The Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) is a prototype of USA’s Tennessee Valley Authority. Previously, the Damodar was known as ‘Curse of Bengal’ as during rains it flooded the entire region was, but at present the conditions have got better due to the construction of the dam.
The difference between the hydroelectric plants and multipurpose projects is that the former is used for the purpose of electricity generation while the latter serves many purposes like irrigation, hydro power generation, etc.