Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Multi-purpose river valley projects are constructed across major rivers in India to provide irrigation, generate hydroelectricity, control floods, and supply drinking water.
Matching these major dams to their respective rivers is a standard requirement in hydrology and geography.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us analyze the matches for each project:
- (A) Nagarjuna Sagar Project: This major masonry dam is built across the Krishna River (III).
It is located on the border between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana and is one of the oldest multi-purpose projects in India.
- (B) Hirakud Dam: It is one of the longest earthen dams in the world, built across the Mahanadi River (IV) in Odisha.
It plays a critical role in flood control and irrigation in the region.
- (C) Gandhi Sagar Dam: It is the first of the four dams built on the Chambal River (II).
It is located in the Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh.
- (D) Jayakawadi Project: It is a major irrigation project built across the Godavari River (I) at Paithan in Aurangabad district, Maharashtra.
It is designed to address drought issues in the Marathwada region.
Therefore, the correct matching is: (A) - (III), (B) - (IV), (C) - (II), (D) - (I).
Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct matching is (A) - (III), (B) - (IV), (C) - (II), (D) - (I).