Indian Rivers and Waterways

  Nehru Setu on Sone river is the longest Railway bridge

The Periyar River is the longest river in the state of Kerala. It is a vital resource for the region, providing water for drinking, irrigation, and the generation of hydroelectric power.

The Kosi River is known as the 'Sorrow of Bihar' due to its frequent and devastating floods that change its course over time. The Damodar River was historically known as the 'Sorrow of Bengal' for similar reasons. In general Indian geography, Kosi is the most common answer for a 'River of Sorrow'.

The Ganga is the longest river in India, flowing for approximately 2,525 kilometers from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal. The Godavari is the second longest river in India and is often called the 'Dakshina Ganga'. The Narmada is a major west-flowing river but is significantly shorter than the Ganga.

The Baglihar Dam is a major hydroelectric power project constructed on the Chenab River in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a run-of-the-river project that has been a point of bilateral discussion between India and Pakistan. The Ravi and Beas rivers also host significant dams, but not the Baglihar.

The Bhakra Nangal project is one of the largest and most famous hydroelectric projects in India, built on the Sutlej River. It provides electricity and irrigation to several states including Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. Tarapore is primarily known for nuclear power, while Ludhiana and Ropar are industrial and historical towns.

The Bhakra Nangal Dam, one of India's earliest and largest multipurpose river valley projects, was dedicated to the nation in 1963 by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. It is built across the Sutlej River and serves the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan. The Damodar Valley project started much earlier, in 1948.

The Narmada is the largest river in India that flows westward and empties into the Arabian Sea. It originates from the Amarkantak Plateau and flows through a rift valley between the Vindhya and Satpura ranges. The Ganga and Krishna rivers flow eastward and drain into the Bay of Bengal.

The Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is a massive masonry dam built across the Krishna River at Nagarjuna Sagar, straddling the border between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It is one of the largest and highest dams in the world, providing irrigation and hydroelectric power to the region. The project was named after the Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna.

The Indus River, also known as the Sindhu, flows along the western edge of the Thar Desert, primarily through Pakistan. While the Luni is the only significant river within the Indian portion of the desert, the Indus is the major regional river associated with the arid landscape. The desert is bounded by the Indus River plain to the west.

The Indus River originates in the Tibetan Plateau in the vicinity of Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. It flows through the Ladakh region of India before entering Pakistan and eventually emptying into the Arabian Sea. The source is specifically near the Sengge Zangbo spring.

The Gandhi Sagar Dam is one of the four major dams built on the Chambal River. It is located in the Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh and serves as a significant source of hydroelectric power and irrigation. The other dams on this river include Rana Pratap Sagar, Jawahar Sagar, and Kota Barrage.

The Srisailam Dam is a major hydroelectric project constructed across the Krishna River in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

The Chambal Project is a joint venture between the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, and it includes the Gandhi Sagar Dam, Rana Pratap Sagar Dam, and Jawahar Sagar Dam (along with Kota Barrage).