State PCS
The Shivanasamudra hydroelectric power project, one of the earliest in Asia, is situated in which state?
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Answer: Option D — Karnataka
Detailed Solution
The Shivanasamudra (Shivasamudram) hydroelectric power station is located on the Kaveri river at the Shivanasamudra falls, on the border of the Mandya and Chamarajanagar districts of Karnataka.
History:
It was commissioned in 1902 by the government of the princely state of Mysore. It is regarded as the first major hydroelectric power station in India and one of the earliest in Asia.
The project was planned under the Dewan of Mysore, Sir K. Seshadri Iyer, with engineers including Captain A. J. de Lotbiniere.
Its first main purpose was to supply electricity to the Kolar Gold Fields, about 150 km away, through one of the longest transmission lines in the world at that time. This allowed the mines to use electric machinery and helped them go deeper.
In 1905, Bangalore (now Bengaluru) became one of the first cities in Asia to receive electric street lighting, from this plant.
Mysore city also received electricity from it.
The station is still in operation and is managed by the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited.
Shivanasamudra Falls:
- At Shivanasamudra, the Kaveri river splits into two branches around an island, forming twin waterfalls:
- Gaganachukki on the western branch.
- Bharachukki on the eastern branch.
- The falls are about 90 to 100 metres high and are most impressive during the monsoon.
- The name "Shivanasamudra" means "sea of Shiva".
Other hydroelectric projects in Karnataka:
- Sharavathi project near Jog Falls, Linganamakki dam.
- Kali river projects (Supa, Nagjhari).
- The Varahi project.
Karnataka's hydropower:
The Western Ghats, with heavy rainfall and steep slopes, give Karnataka a large hydroelectric potential.
About the Kaveri:
The Kaveri rises at Talakaveri in the Kodagu (Coorg) district of Karnataka and flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu into the Bay of Bengal. The Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) dam, also designed under Sir M. Visvesvaraya, lies upstream of Shivanasamudra.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Tamil Nadu has the Mettur dam and the Hogenakkal falls on the Kaveri, downstream of Shivanasamudra.
- ✗Andhra Pradesh has the Srisailam project on the Krishna.
- ✗Maharashtra has the Koyna and Khopoli projects.
Quick tip
Remember: Shivanasamudra (Kaveri, Karnataka, 1902) supplied power to the Kolar Gold Fields; Bengaluru got electric street lights in 1905.
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Minerals & Energy Resources — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Minerals & Energy Resources, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers India's mineral resources (iron ore, manganese, bauxite, copper, mica and others) and energy resources (coal, petroleum, natural gas, nuclear power and renewable energy), with their main producing regions, mines, oil fields and power plants. Questions often ask where a mineral is found, which state is the leading producer, or where an important power plant or oil field is located. For example, Jharia is known for coal, Digboi in Assam is the oldest oil field in India, and Tarapur in Maharashtra is the site of India's first nuclear power plant. Practise the minerals and energy resources questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.