Tilaiya Dam – In the land of Jhumri Tilaiya Jharkhand

So during my tryst with the Indian Highways, I traversed from Goa to Kolkata with Sujit Sinha. In Kolkata, some business developments gravitated both of us and Pranab Pal Da to Jharkhand.

Our meetings with the District Forest Officer (DFO) West, Hazaribagh, Mr Maun Prakash, led us to reside at the Forest Rest House at Barhi, located near the Tilaiya Dam.

From this Forest Rest House, it was easier for us to explore locations where we could contribute to the development of the State of Jharkhand.

The main (Patna-Ranchi) road from Barhi on the Grand Trunk Road passing through hills overlooking the reservoir is picturesque. The Forest Rest House is located here only.

We stayed at the same Forest Rest House, Barhi, for a week before returning to Kolkata. Some of our meals were spent viewing the Tilaiya Dam reservoir for several days.

Tilaiya Dam is a historic concrete gravity dam located in the Koderma district of Jharkhand, India. It is built across the Barakar River, a major tributary of the Damodar River.

Inaugurated on February 21, 1953, it holds the distinction of being the first of the four multi-purpose dams constructed by the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) in its first phase.

While often associated with the broader Hazaribagh region, the Tilaiya Dam and its reservoir are specifically located in Koderma. Koderma is a district in the northern part of Jharkhand, India.

Koderma is historically renowned worldwide for its mica mining industry, particularly the production of high-quality ruby mica, which established it as the “Mica Capital of India.”

This area alongwith others in West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand, used to get flooded dring erswhile times for which the Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) was incorporated to integrate flood management with broader regional development.

Tilaiya was identified as the first upstream dam in this system, located on the Barakar River—a major tributary of the Damodar.

Tilaiya Dam serves as a key component of the Damodar Valley Corporation’s (DVC) multi-purpose river valley project for flood moderation, irrigation, and hydroelectric power generation.

• Its primary objective is flood moderation in the Damodar Valley.
• The Tilaiya Hydro Power Station is located on the left bank of the Barakar. It features two generating units of 2 MW each, with a total capacity of 4 MW.
• A floating solar farm has been proposed for the reservoir to increase renewable energy output. We saw that the development work was at full swing while going to visit Shri Rituraj, the Deputy Commissioner or the Collector of Koderma.
• The place is being developed as a tourist picnic spot with a view of the river and the surrounding greenery.

The Tilaiya Dam is a part of the Koderma Hill Station. It is located around 30 kilometres from the dam and is a perfect destination for nature lovers.

Lush green forests and hills surround the hill station and provide breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

The Koderma Hill Station is also known for its famous Koderma Stone, which is used in construction and exported to several countries.

Tilaiya Dam is Koderma’s peaceful gem, perfect for long drives, soothing walks, and lakeside picnics.

What is the Best Time to Visit Tilaiya Dam Koderma?

Winter is preferred for pleasant weather and boating. The winter months are ideal for a visit, with pleasant weather perfect for outdoor activities. Summers can be very hot.

How do I get to Tilaiya Dam Koderma?

Tilaiya dam is accessible by road, located approximately 22 kilometres south of Koderma town and 50 kilometres from Hazaribagh town via the Koderma-Hazaribagh road or NH-20. 

It lies along NH-20, the Patna-Ranchi national highway, which offers direct views of the structure for travellers. 

The nearest railway station is Koderma Junction, about 15 kilometres away, with frequent connections to major cities like Patna and Ranchi; auto-rickshaws and taxis are available for the short journey to the dam. 

For air travel, Ranchi Airport is roughly 161 kilometres distant, while Patna Airport is around 165 kilometres away.

The site serves as a popular spot for leisure activities, including picnics along the reservoir shores and boating on the calm waters, providing a serene escape amid natural beauty.

The site includes basic visitor facilities such as a guesthouse and boating arrangements, with a DVC viewpoint providing panoramic reservoir vistas.

The site’s natural beauty, enhanced by the dam’s 1,200-foot-long structure, supports leisurely activities such as lakeside walks and photography, with thousands of tourists visiting annually.

In August 2025, Jharkhand’s first floating restaurant and a multi-purpose park were inaugurated at the dam to boost tourism and local development.

The park has a small canteen as well as some inflatables for children to jump and play on. The general visiting hours for the area are from 5:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily.

The dam attracts thousands of tourists annually and is promoted as part of Jharkhand’s official tourism circuits, highlighting its role in regional eco-leisure offerings.

Key attractions include the dam’s vast waters, surrounding hills, Panchawahini temple, and nearby waterfalls like Petro Falls, with activities ranging from serene views to adventurous boating and dining experiences. 

Boating, both pedal boats and speedboats, and site exploration are facilitated through local operators.

The name “Jhumri Telaiya” is derived from two distinct elements reflecting local linguistic and geographical features.

“Jhumri” originates from the name of a nearby village and is also associated with the regional folk dance known as Jhumair or Jhumar.

Originally comprising the villages of Jhumri and Tilaiya—”Tilaiya” meaning a small lake or water body in Hindi.

“Tilaiya” is a Hindi word denoting a small lake or pond, directly referencing the reservoir formed by the nearby Tilaiya Dam on the Barakar River.

This area gained prominence in the late 19th century when British railway construction in the 1890s uncovered vast mica deposits, transforming it into a major mining hub known as “Abrak Nagri” (City of Mica).

Culturally, Jhumri Telaiya achieved nationwide fame from the 1950s to the 1980s through prolific song requests on Radio Ceylon’s Binaca Geetmala and All India Radio’s Vividh Bharati.

This was pioneered by residents like Rameshwar Prasad Barnwal, who sent 20–25 requests daily, embedding the town’s name in Bollywood songs and films such as Hasina Maan Jayegi (1968).