130. What did Jawaharlal Nehru describe as the ‘temples of modern India’?
[RRB NTPC Graduate (19 March, Shift 1), 2026]
(A) Hospitals
(B) Dams
(C) Schools
(D) Parliament
Answer: (B) Dams
Explanation: Nehru used the phrase to convey the national importance of major development works such as multipurpose dams. They symbolised investment in irrigation, electricity, flood control and industrial growth during the early decades after independence.
129. Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is built across which river?
[RRB NTPC UG (16 June, Shift 2), 2026]
(A) Krishna
(B) Godavari
(C) Tungabhadra
(D) Bhima
Answer: (A) Krishna
Explanation: The Nagarjuna Sagar dam stands on the Krishna at the Telangana–Andhra Pradesh boundary. It is a major masonry structure and feeds irrigation canals that serve agricultural districts in both states.
128. Which listed hydroelectric project is on the Periyar River?
[DSSSB MTS (2 March, Shift 3), 2026]
(A) Sardar Sarovar
(B) Tehri
(C) Koyna
(D) Idukki
Answer: (D) Idukki
Explanation: Idukki’s celebrated arch dam is part of a hydroelectric system in Kerala on the Periyar. The dam is positioned between steep hills and forms part of a connected reservoir-and-powerhouse complex.
127. Which hydroelectric project is NOT on the Sutlej River?
[DSSSB MTS (6 March, Shift 2), 2026]
(A) Karcham Wangtoo
(B) Bhakra–Nangal
(C) Nagarjuna Sagar
(D) Nathpa Jhakri
Answer: (C) Nagarjuna Sagar
Explanation: Nagarjuna Sagar is on the Krishna in southern India. Karcham Wangtoo, Bhakra–Nangal and Nathpa Jhakri are projects of the Sutlej river system in Himachal Pradesh and adjoining northern regions.
126. Why do hydropower dams reduce direct dependence on fossil-fuel generation?
[DSSSB Assistant Superintendent (3 July, Shift 1), 2026]
(A) They involve no construction
(B) They eliminate every environmental impact
(C) They produce electricity using moving water
(D) They use imported crude oil
Answer: (C) They produce electricity using moving water
Explanation: Hydropower turbines convert the energy of water flow into electricity without burning coal or oil during generation. Nevertheless, large dams can alter river habitats, trap sediment and displace residents, so ‘cleaner’ does not mean impact-free.
125. Which is a multipurpose river-valley project?
[RRB NTPC UG (14 August, Shift 3), 2025]
(A) Damodar Valley Project
(B) Sharda Canal
(C) Agra Canal
(D) Indira Gandhi Canal
Answer: (A) Damodar Valley Project
Explanation: Damodar Valley is an integrated regional programme for flood management, irrigation and power production. The other choices are primarily canal systems rather than a corporation administering several connected river-basin functions.
124. Which Indian project was modelled on the US Tennessee Valley Authority?
[RRB NTPC UG (20 August, Shift 3), 2025]
(A) Damodar Valley
(B) Nagarjuna Sagar
(C) Bhakra–Nangal
(D) Tehri
Answer: (A) Damodar Valley
Explanation: The Damodar Valley Corporation, established in 1948, drew on the Tennessee Valley Authority’s river-basin development approach. The aim was to coordinate dams, power stations, flood moderation and irrigation instead of treating each need separately.
123. Which river supplies the Hirakud Dam?
[SSC Stenographer (8 August, Shift 1), 2025]
(A) Mahanadi
(B) Krishna
(C) Cauvery
(D) Narmada
Answer: (A) Mahanadi
Explanation: The reservoir behind Hirakud stores water of the Mahanadi near Sambalpur in Odisha. The project provides irrigation and hydropower and helps moderate floods farther downstream during high monsoon discharge.
122. The multipurpose Hirakud scheme for irrigation, power and flood control is built across which river?
[SSC CHSL Tier-I (22 November, Shift 1), 2025]
(A) Periyar
(B) Krishna
(C) Mahanadi
(D) Indus
Answer: (C) Mahanadi
Explanation: Hirakud regulates the Mahanadi in Odisha. It was developed to combine water storage for irrigation, power generation and flood mitigation, distinguishing it from single-purpose structures designed only for electricity or canal diversion.
121. What major multipurpose project began in Odisha following independence?
[OSSSC CRE Prelims (16 October, Shift 1), 2025]
(A) Hirakud Dam Project
(B) Arikul Project
(C) Baghua Project
(D) Karada Project
Answer: (A) Hirakud Dam Project
Explanation: The Hirakud undertaking on the Mahanadi was among the earliest major multipurpose works started after independence. Its works near Sambalpur were designed to reduce downstream flood losses and improve water availability and electricity supply.
