Question

The longest dam in India is___
A.Aswan
B.Hirakud
C.Gorky
D.Mangla

Answer 1

Hint: It is built on the Mahanadi river for about 15km. After India’s independence, it is one of the first major multipurpose river valley projects.

Complete answer: Hirakud Dam is the longest dam in India built across the Mahanadi River for about 15kms from Sambalpur in Odisha. There’s an extended lake behind this dam called the Hirakud Reservoir which is 55Km long.
The dam is a composite structure of the earth, concrete, and masonry. It’s the longest major earthen dam in India, measuring 25.8km which includes dykes. It spans between two hills; the Laxmidungri on the left and the Chandili Dunguri on the right. It also forms the biggest artificial lake in India. It comprises two observation towers one at each side; Gandhi Minar and the Jawahar Minar and both these towers present extensive views of the lake.
The Dam helps in controlling floods in the Mahanadi delta and irrigates almost 75,000 sq. km of land. It also generates Hydroelectricity and regulates acres of Mahanadi’s drainage. The reservoir has a huge storage capacity and drains an area that is more than twice the area of Sri Lanka.
There are some remnants of temples submerged after its construction was completed in 1957.

Thus, Option B is correct.

Note: There was a major conflict for water wherein over 30000 farmers gathered around the dam and formed a human chain. They were protesting against the allocation of water from the industries and there is no water for the canal system due to a low water level.