Chapter 3 · Question 2
Explain the benefits of multipurpose river valley projects.
Answer
Direct Answer
Multipurpose river valley projects store and regulate water for irrigation, electricity generation, flood control, drinking water supply, inland navigation, fisheries, and recreation. They were seen as important for planned development because they could support agriculture and industry together.
Simple Explanation
These projects provide irrigation, hydroelectricity, flood control, drinking water, navigation, fisheries, and recreation, supporting both agriculture and industry.
Exam-Ready Structure
Multipurpose river valley projects are designed to serve several purposes simultaneously, making them central to planned development:
• Irrigation: Dams store water that is released through canals during dry seasons, enabling farmers to grow crops throughout the year.
• Hydroelectricity generation: Water released from dams turns turbines to produce electricity, supporting industry, agriculture, and households.
• Flood control: Dams regulate river flow, storing excess water during heavy rains and releasing it gradually, reducing flood risk downstream.
• Drinking water supply: Reservoirs provide water for towns and cities.
• Inland navigation: Large reservoirs and regulated river flow allow boats and barges to transport goods.
• Fisheries: Reservoirs support fish breeding, providing livelihood and food.
• Recreation and tourism: Reservoirs and surrounding areas attract tourists for boating, sightseeing, and picnics.
These projects were called the temples of modern India by Jawaharlal Nehru because they symbolised planned, integrated development combining agriculture and industry.
Key Points
- Multipurpose river valley projects store and regulate water for irrigation, electricity generation, flood control, drinking water supply, inland navigation, fisheries, and recreation.
- They were seen as important for planned development because they could support agriculture and industry together.
Relevant Maps and Figures
Multipurpose River Valley Projects Overview
diagram
Use the project overview to list the major benefits in the same grouped way as the textbook.
This helps when writing a compact three-mark answer.
This chapter sequence groups irrigation, hydroelectricity, flood control, navigation, fisheries, and water supply under one project idea.
Answer Sources
- Benefits of multipurpose projectstextbook section | Contemporary India-II | Water Resources | Multipurpose river valley projects | Pages 4-5