Indian Rivers and Waterways

Mahanadi originates from Amarkantak in state of MP, it does not originate from Western Ghats

Correct Answer: 9.8

The Chambal River is a tributary of the Yamuna River in central India, and forms part of the greater Gangetic drainage system. Badland is a type of dry terrain where softer sedimentary rocks and clay-rich soils have been extensively eroded by wind and water. Badland topography is a characteristic feature of the Chambal valley.

Subansiri, Dhansiri, Puthimari and Manas are all tributaries of the Brahmaputra, and not the Indus.

Alamatti Dam is on the Krishna River (not Cauvery), so statement 1 is wrong. Mettur Dam is on the Cauvery River (not Krishna), so statement 2 is wrong. Gandhi Sagar Reservoir is indeed on the Chambal River, making statement 3 correct. Therefore, only statement 3 is correct.

The Cauvery (Kaveri) river water dispute is primarily between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The dispute dates back to agreements made in 1892 and 1924 between the Madras Presidency and Mysore princely state. Tamil Nadu claims historical rights to the water for its delta agriculture, while Karnataka argues it needs more water for its growing cities and farms. The dispute has seen ongoing legal battles including Supreme Court interventions.

The Sardar Sarovar Project is a multi-purpose mega-dam built on the Narmada River in Gujarat. It provides irrigation, drinking water, and hydroelectric power to four states - Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. It is part of the Narmada Valley Project and is one of the largest dams in the world. The project has been controversial due to displacement and environmental concerns.

Ranjit Sagar Dam (originally Thein Dam project) is built across the Ravi River in Pathankot district, Punjab. It's a multipurpose project for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation. The Beas, Sutlej, and Chenab rivers host other major dams like Bhakra Nangal (Sutlej-Nag), Bhakra (Sutlej), and Baglihar (Chenab).

The Godavari is the longest among these rivers at approximately 1,465 km. It originates in Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra, and flows through multiple states before draining into the Bay of Bengal. The Krishna is about 1,400 km, Narmada is 1,312 km, and the Yamuna is approximately 1,376 km. The Godavari is often called the 'Dakshina Ganga' (Ganges of the South).

The Pong Dam is indeed constructed on the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh, India. It's one of the highest earthfill dams and creates the Gobind Sagar Lake. The dam is used for hydroelectric power generation and irrigation, making it a significant infrastructure project in the region.

Amarkantak region is a unique natural heritage area and is the meeting point of the Vindhyas and the Satpuras, with the Maikal Hills being the fulcrum. This is where the Narmada River, the Son River and Johila River emerge. (Hence, option '3' is correct). The Tapi River originates in the Betul district from a place called Multai. 

Nagarjuna Sagar is one of India's largest dams, built across the Krishna River between Nalgonda and Guntur districts in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It is a major multipurpose project providing irrigation and hydroelectric power.

Kayals are the shallow lagoons and backwaters along the west coast of India. Seasonal streams that flow through the Shiwaliks are called Chos.

With a length of 1465 km, river Godavari is the second longest river in India, second only to river Ganges, and the longest in southern India. For this, it is also known as “Dakshin Ganga”.