Correct Answer:
C. 2,743 metres (9,000 feet)
The correct answer is 2,743 metres (9,000 feet). The Tarbela Dam, one of the largest earth‑filled dams in the world, stretches an impressive 2,743 metres across the Indus River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Engineering Marvel of Tarbela Dam
- Massive Earth‑Filled Structure: Tarbela is the largest earth‑filled dam on the planet by structural volume. The main embankment is approximately 2,743 metres (9,000 feet) long and about 143 metres (470 feet) high. Its sheer size is a testament to 20th‑century engineering.
- Location and Purpose: Built on the Indus River near the town of Tarbela, the dam serves multiple purposes — irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation. It forms the Tarbela Reservoir, which is vital for Pakistan's agricultural economy.
- Incorrect Measurements: 1,500 metres and 2,100 metres are too short; 3,200 metres is an overestimate. The actual length is closely associated with the round figure of 9,000 feet, which converts to approximately 2,743 metres.
- Upgrades and Extensions: Over the decades, additional power tunnels and extensions have been added, but the main dam length remains a constant identifying feature of this iconic Pakistani infrastructure project.
Therefore, the approximate length of Tarbela Dam is 2,743 metres (9,000 feet).