The 67-Year-Old Giant: Hirakud Dam's Modern Makeover

The 67-year-old Hirakud Dam, Asia's longest earthen dam, is undergoing critical structural upgrades to ensure long-term safety and enhance its operational capacity, according to Sudhir Kumar Sahu, Additional Chief Engineer, Hirakud Dam Circle.

While the dam’s overall structural integrity is rated as “very good,” superficial cracks and cavities have been identified on the upstream face of the reservoir, prompting proactive intervention. Built across the Mahanadi River near Sambalpur, Odisha, the 25.4 km-long dam creates Asia’s largest artificial lake, spanning 743 sq. km, and plays a vital role in flood control, irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, and drinking water supply.

To address emerging challenges, three major infrastructure packages are currently in progress:

Underwater treatment under the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP-3)

Construction of an additional spillway to manage increased flood discharge

Automation of existing spillway gates to improve response efficiency

The Central Water Commission (CWC) has recommended the new spillway to handle enhanced flood flows, increasing discharge capacity from 15 lakh cusecs to 24.6 lakh cusecs in anticipation of more extreme hydrological events.

While routine maintenance is funded by the Odisha state government, large-scale rehabilitation efforts are supported through central funding mechanisms.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.