Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Uttarakhand
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
India has built several large hydroelectric projects to generate electricity, control floods, and provide irrigation. The Tehri Hydro Power Complex is one of the most significant of these projects and often appears in general knowledge and geography questions. Knowing the state in which such projects are located helps in understanding regional development and the distribution of energy infrastructure in the country. This question asks where the Tehri Hydro Power Complex is situated.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The Tehri Hydro Power Complex is located on the Bhagirathi river, which is one of the headstreams of the Ganga. The project is situated near Tehri in the state of Uttarakhand. It includes a large dam and associated power generating facilities and has been the subject of considerable public discussion due to its environmental and social impacts. While Uttar Pradesh earlier shared historical administrative links with this region, after the formation of Uttarakhand the project clearly lies within Uttarakhand. Therefore, the correct state among the options is Uttarakhand.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the Tehri project is built on the Bhagirathi river and is one of India largest hydroelectric and multipurpose projects.Step 2: Remember that Tehri and the surrounding dam area are located in the Himalayan foothills within the current boundaries of Uttarakhand.Step 3: Examine the options: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Jammu and Kashmir.Step 4: Recognise that Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Jammu and Kashmir host other hydro projects but not the Tehri Hydro Power Complex.Step 5: Note that although the region once fell under the larger Uttar Pradesh, after the creation of Uttarakhand the project is clearly in Uttarakhand.Step 6: Choose Uttarakhand as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative check:
Government and power sector publications identify the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation and describe its main installations in the state of Uttarakhand. Geography textbooks and competitive exam guides consistently list Tehri Dam and the associated power complex under major projects of Uttarakhand. This repeated association across multiple sources confirms that Uttarakhand is the correct state for this question.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Uttar Pradesh is a large state in the plains and does not contain the Tehri project within its current boundaries, even though some parts of the Ganga basin projects affect it. Himachal Pradesh has major projects like Bhakra and Nathpa Jhakri but not Tehri. Sikkim and Jammu and Kashmir also have hydroelectric schemes but they are different projects. Thus, none of these states is the location of the Tehri Hydro Power Complex.
Common Pitfalls:
Because the region where Tehri is located historically belonged to Uttar Pradesh before the creation of Uttarakhand, some candidates still associate the project with Uttar Pradesh and choose that option. Others may confuse Tehri with other dams located in Himachal Pradesh or elsewhere in the Himalayas. To answer correctly, it is important to remember that Uttarakhand, carved out of Uttar Pradesh, now contains the Tehri project and is the state to be selected.
Final Answer:
The Tehri Hydro Power Complex is located in the state of Uttarakhand.
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