The Rajasthan has major river system in India such as Banas River, Jawai River and the Chambal River, These Rivers of Rajasthan are lifeline for drinking water in the state. Rajasthan is India’s largest state by area and home to one of the largest desert in the world. This Article focuses on the 5 Biggest and famous Dams of Rajasthan. Here we go : 

Bisalpur Dam

Bisalpur Dam is a gravity dam which is placed in Tonk district and major source of drinking water supply to Jaipur. Bisalpur Dam is one of the most famous dam in Rajasthan and beautiful attraction in the region. With the height of 40 meters constructed in 1999 across the Banas River it is a major source of drinking water supply. The construction of the dam was completed in two phases. Phase 1 aimed at the water supply to the villagers, while Phase 2 focused on improving the irrigation facilities.

Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam

Also Read: List of National Parks in Rajasthan

The Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam is the second largest dam in Rajasthan and is built across Mahi River, 16 kilometers from Banswara. Named after Shri Jamnalal Bajaj, the 43-meter high dam was constructed for the purpose of water supply and hydroelectricity power generation. The Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam construction began in 1972 and the dam opened in 1983. The power station is operational since 1986.

Rana Pratap Sagar Dam

Rana Pratap Sagar Dam is one of the major dams built on Chambal River, located in Rawatbhata in Rajasthan. With the height of 53.8 meters is the second largest dam built on Chambal River. The renowned Ranapratap Sagar gravity masonry dam is second largest dam on Chambal River and one of the major dam of Chambal Valley Project.

The Rana Pratap Sagar Dam is also chosen for Chambal Valley project, a government initiative for the development of the river. There is a power station at the dam toe for the generation of hydropower which was officially open in February 1970. The dam and the power plant got their name from the warrior Maharana Pratap of Rajasthan.

Meja Dam

The Meja Dam in the Mewar region is the biggest dam of Bhilwara, Rajasthan and the lake is home to number of mammals and birds. The Dam is located 20 km away from Bhilwara city and surrounding area is famous for its natural green mount park.

Jawai Dam

The Jawai Dam is biggest dam in the western Rajasthan. The Dam is constructed between 1946 to 1957 over the Jawai River near Sumerpur town in Pali District. The hills around Jawai dam are famous for Indian leopards and jungle cats. The Dam is major water supplier for Jodhpur city and parts of Pali district.

The Mahi is a river in western India. It rises in Madhya Pradesh and, after flowing through the Vagad region of Rajasthan, enters Gujarat and flows into the Arabian Sea.

Also Read: List of The 5 Biggest Dams Of Rajasthan

There are large number of islands within the catchment area of the dam, so Banswara also called popularly called as “City of Hundred Islands”. The dam is easily accessible by road. The dam has an installed capacity of 140 MW.

History of Mahi Dam

The concept of Mahi Bajaj Sagar Dam was mooted in the later half of sixties. The foundation stone of this ambitious, multipurpose, inter-state project was laid by the then Finance Minister, Government of India late Shri Morrarji Desai in the year 1960 The project is named after renowned freedom fighter and national leader late Shri Jamnalal Bajaj.

Also Read: List of National Parks in Rajasthan

The Mahi River originates from Sardarpura village of Dhar district in Madhya Pradesh and flows through M.P. Rajasthan and Gujarat before conversing into bay of Khambat in Gujarat state. From water potential point of view, the Mahi river basin is the third largest among fifteen well defined and discriminated river basins of Rajasthan state. Rivers Erav, Chap, Nori, Anas, Jakham, Som are major tributories of river Mahi. However, barring Earu all other rivers converges into Mahi main stream down stream of Mahi Dam.

The original project proposal envisages 46,500 ha. CCA approved by the Planning Commission and Central Water & Power Commission in the year 1971. The major construction activities started in the year 1972 and the project was dedicated to nation by the Hon’ble Prime Minister late Smt. Indira Gandhi on 1.11.1983.