Question

Dams are the best ways for utilisation of river water 'and 'dams have failed to become the temples of modern India' speak in favour and against the motion

Answer 1

Well, the Bhakra Dam and a few other projects were as you have so rightly pointed out thought to be the temples of modern India.  And to quite an extent, they have been. I dont have the data at hand but they have been responsible for the huge hydro power potential that we have. By the way, hydro has the maximum power generation in India amongst all the non conventional sources of energy.  Dams and reservoirs have also been used to bring water to the arid areas such as the Indira Gandhi Canal in Rajasthan.  

However, at the same time, dams have also wreaked havoc in so many ways. Of course there is the environmental risk. However, what goes relatively unknown is the mass displacement of people.  It would be much better if the GOvernment focused its energies on micro hydel projects. In other words, small dams instead of the large dams.

Answer 2

The arguments in favor of Dams are :

1.  Dams revolutionized the industrial development in India.

2.  Dams helped to electrify the whole India.

3.  Dams revolutionized the agriculture of India.

4.  Dams also controlled the regular flooding of rivers.

5.  Domestic uses of dams include everyday activities such as water for drinking, cooking, bathing, washing.

But the dams in India failed to become temples of Modern India as said by Pt. Nehru. The arguments against the dams are :

1.  The construction of dams lead to displacement of huge population of humans and animals.

2.  It lead to deforestation.

3.  Dams became the agents of flash floods.

4.  Dams lead to the soil erosion and land degradation.