Treks by
March to June and September to November are ideal for visiting, with pleasant weather and clear skies—perfect for sightseeing and water sports.
By Road: Tehri Dam is well-connected by motorable roads. It is approx. 80 km from Rishikesh and 110 km from Dehradun. Buses and taxis are easily available. By Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh (around 80 km), followed by Haridwar (approx. 100 km). By Air: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (about 85 km away) is the closest airport. Taxis are available from the airport to Tehri.
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830 meters
Tehri Dam, located in the Tehri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand, India, is the tallest dam in the country and ranks among the tallest in the world. Standing at a height of 260.5 meters (855 feet), this rock and earth-fill embankment dam spans the Bhagirathi River near New Tehri town. The dam was constructed to serve multiple purposes, including hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and municipal water supply.
The construction of Tehri Dam led to the submergence of the old Tehri town, necessitating the relocation of thousands of residents to New Tehri. The project faced significant opposition from environmentalists, notably Sunderlal Bahuguna, who led protests highlighting concerns over seismic safety and ecological impacts.
Tehri Dam, India’s tallest dam, stands as a marvel of modern engineering. Constructed on the Bhagirathi River, its foundation stone was laid in 1978, but due to environmental and social protests, it was only completed in 2006. The dam led to the submergence of Old Tehri town and the relocation of thousands to a newly developed area—New Tehri. Environmentalist Sunderlal Bahuguna was a major figure opposing the project due to seismic and ecological risks.