Rihand Dam

Rihand Dam, also known as Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar, is a concrete gravity dam on the Rihand River at Pipri in Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh. Completed in 1962 and inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, it is the largest dam in Uttar Pradesh by volume and creates one of India's largest artificial reservoirs. Notable for its 91.44-meter height, 934-meter length, hydroelectric power generation and extensive reservoir, it is a major irrigation and engineering landmark in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Visitors can expect a large concrete gravity dam structure with expansive views of the Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar reservoir, one of India's largest artificial lakes. The site offers broad water views, dam viewpoints, spillway gates and surrounding forested hills. Visitors can explore designated viewing areas, observe the reservoir and power station surroundings, and enjoy sightseeing and photography. The area is open and exposed with limited shade, primarily focused on scenic and engineering interest.

Constructed between 1954 and 1962 across the Rihand River, a tributary of the Son River, the dam was inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962. Named after former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Govind Ballabh Pant, it was the largest multipurpose project in Uttar Pradesh at the time and remains the state's largest dam by volume. It was built for hydroelectric power generation, irrigation, and flood control.