Consider the following pairs:
Contents15
Consider the following pairs:
| Reservoirs | States | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Ghataprabha | Telangana |
| 2. | Gandhi Sagar | Madhya Pradesh |
| 3. | Indira Sagar | Andhra Pradesh |
| 4. | Maithon | Chhattisgarh |
How many pairs given above are not correctly matched?
- AOnly one pair
- BOnly two pairs
- COnly three pairs
- DAll four pairs
Show answer
Answer: (C) Only three pairs
The answer is (C) Three pairs are wrongly matched.
Pair 1 is WRONG:
Ghataprabha is a river in KARNATAKA (a tributary of the Krishna).
The Hidkal Dam is built on it in Belagavi district, Karnataka — not Telangana.
Pair 2 is CORRECT:
Gandhi Sagar Dam is in MADHYA PRADESH, built on the Chambal River in Mandsaur district.
Pair 3 is WRONG:
Indira Sagar Dam is in MADHYA PRADESH (on the Narmada River in Khandwa district), not Andhra Pradesh.
It's India's largest dam by water storage volume.
Pair 4 is WRONG:
Maithon Dam is in JHARKHAND (on the Barakar River near Dhanbad), not Chhattisgarh.
So only 1 pair is correct (Gandhi Sagar - MP), and 3 are wrong.
Memory tip:
Both Gandhi Sagar and Indira Sagar are in Madhya Pradesh.
Maithon is near the coal city of Dhanbad (Jharkhand).
Major dams and reservoirs are critical for India's water security, irrigation, and power generation across multiple states.
UPSC is testing precise knowledge of dam locations because water disputes between states often revolve around these exact reservoirs and their interstate nature.
The question checks if students can distinguish between river basins and actual dam locations, since rivers often flow through multiple states but dams are built in specific states.
Ghataprabha River System
Geography Ghataprabha Telangana
Ghataprabha River: Krishna Tributary in Karnataka
Ghataprabha is a major tributary of Krishna River flowing in Karnataka
Hidkal Dam is built on Ghataprabha in Belagavi district, Karnataka
Originates from Western Ghats and flows eastward through Karnataka
River Course
The Ghataprabha River originates from the Western Ghats in Karnataka and flows eastward to join the Krishna River. It is one of the major left-bank tributaries of Krishna, entirely within Karnataka state.
Flows through Belgaum (now Belagavi) and Bagalkot districts
Hidkal Dam is the major reservoir on this river
Important for irrigation in northern Karnataka
Key Details
Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
Origin | Western Ghats, Karnataka |
Flow Direction | West to East |
States Covered | Karnataka only |
Joins | Krishna River (left bank) |
Major Dam | Hidkal Dam in Belagavi |
Districts | Belagavi, Bagalkot |
Trap: Question pairs Ghataprabha with Telangana - it's entirely in Karnataka
Confusion: Don't mix Ghataprabha with Godavari tributaries that flow in Telangana
Memory: Ghataprabha = Goes through Karnataka (both start with hard 'G'/'K' sounds)
Gandhi Sagar Dam
Geography Gandhi Sagar Madhya Pradesh
Gandhi Sagar Dam: Chambal River Project in MP
Gandhi Sagar Dam is built on Chambal River in Madhya Pradesh
Located in Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh
Part of Chambal Valley Project - first dam on Chambal
Project Details
Gandhi Sagar Dam is the first major dam on the Chambal River, located in Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh. It's part of the Chambal Valley Project, a joint venture between Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Creates Gandhi Sagar Reservoir
Multipurpose project: irrigation, power generation, flood control
Correctly paired in the question - this was the only right match
Dam Specifications
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
River | Chambal |
State | Madhya Pradesh |
District | Mandsaur |
Project | Chambal Valley Project |
Purpose | Irrigation, Power, Flood Control |
Position | First dam on Chambal River |
Correct Match: Gandhi Sagar - Madhya Pradesh was the only right pair in this question
Memory: Gandhi Sagar and Indira Sagar - both are in Madhya Pradesh
Indira Sagar Dam
Geography Indira Sagar Andhra Pradesh
Indira Sagar Dam: Largest Dam on Narmada River
Indira Sagar Dam is in Madhya Pradesh, not Andhra Pradesh
Built on Narmada River in Khandwa district
India's largest dam by water storage volume
Part of Narmada Valley Project
Significance
Indira Sagar Dam is built on the Narmada River in Khandwa district, Madhya Pradesh. It holds the distinction of being India's largest dam by water storage volume and is a crucial part of the Narmada Valley Project.
Dam Details
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
River | Narmada |
Actual State | Madhya Pradesh |
District | Khandwa |
Storage Rank | Largest in India by volume |
Project | Narmada Valley Project |
Question Error | Wrongly paired with Andhra Pradesh |
Major Trap: Question pairs Indira Sagar with Andhra Pradesh - it's in Madhya Pradesh
Confusion: Don't confuse with dams in Andhra Pradesh like Nagarjuna Sagar
Memory: Gandhi Sagar + Indira Sagar = both Madhya Pradesh
Maithon Dam
Geography Maithon Chhattisgarh
Maithon Dam: DVC Project in Jharkhand
Maithon Dam is in Jharkhand, not Chhattisgarh
Built on Barakar River near Dhanbad
Part of Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) project
Location Context
Maithon Dam is located in Jharkhand on the Barakar River, near the coal city of Dhanbad. It's a key component of the Damodar Valley Corporation project, serving the industrial belt of Jharkhand and West Bengal.
Dam Information
Feature | Details |
|---|---|
River | Barakar (tributary of Damodar) |
Actual State | Jharkhand |
Nearby City | Dhanbad (coal hub) |
Corporation | Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) |
Region | Coal belt of Eastern India |
Question Error | Wrongly paired with Chhattisgarh |
State Confusion: Question pairs Maithon with Chhattisgarh - it's in Jharkhand
Memory Link: Maithon near Dhanbad coal city = Jharkhand industrial belt
DVC Connection: Maithon is part of Damodar Valley project, not Chhattisgarh rivers
Major Dams by States
Geography Reservoirs States
State-wise Distribution of Major Dams in India
Madhya Pradesh has both Gandhi Sagar and Indira Sagar dams
Karnataka has Ghataprabha system, not Telangana
Jharkhand has Maithon Dam in Damodar valley
Many states share river valley projects across boundaries
Key Dams by States
State | Major Dams | Rivers | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
Madhya Pradesh | Gandhi Sagar, Indira Sagar, Sardar Sarovar | Chambal, Narmada | Two dams from the question |
Karnataka | Hidkal (Ghataprabha), Tungabhadra | Ghataprabha, Tungabhadra | Western Ghats tributaries |
Jharkhand | Maithon, Panchet | Barakar, Damodar | DVC projects in coal belt |
Andhra Pradesh | Nagarjuna Sagar, Srisailam | Krishna | Not Indira Sagar |
Telangana | Kaleshwaram, Nizamsagar | Godavari, Manjira | Not Ghataprabha |
Dam Locations
Source: LotusArise — Dams in India: List of Major Dams in India (State-wise Maps) · lotusarise.com
Double MP Trap: Both Gandhi Sagar and Indira Sagar are in Madhya Pradesh - easy to mix locations
State Boundary Confusion: Rivers cross states but dams belong to specific states
Similar Names: Don't confuse Indira Sagar (MP) with dams in Andhra Pradesh