Understanding the Hirakud Dam and its River

The Hirakud Dam is one of the longest earth dams in the world. It is a major multipurpose river valley project located in the state of Odisha, India. Dams like Hirakud are built across rivers to control floods, generate hydroelectric power, and provide irrigation water.

The question asks about the specific river on which the Hirakud Dam is constructed. Identifying the correct river is important when studying the geography and major infrastructure projects of India.

Let's consider the options provided:

• Krishna: The Krishna river is a major river in south India, flowing through Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Mahanadi: The Mahanadi river is a major river in East Central India. It flows through Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
• Kaveri: The Kaveri river is a significant river in South India, flowing through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• Narmada: The Narmada river is a major west-flowing river in Central India, flowing through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.

Historical and geographical records confirm that the Hirakud Dam was built across the Mahanadi river. The dam is located near Sambalpur in Odisha.

Therefore, based on geographical facts, the Hirakud Dam is built on the Mahanadi river.