(1) Advantages:
(i) Multi-purpose projects launched after independence with their integrated water resources management approach, were thought of as the vehicle that would lead the nation to the path of development and progress, overcoming the handicap of its colonial past.
(ii) Jawaharlal Nehru proclaimed the dams as the temples of modern India: the reason being that it would integrate development of agriculture and the village economy with rapid industrialization and growth of the urban economy.
(iii) Dams were built to impound rivers and rainwater that could be used later to irrigate agricultural fields.
(iv) Hydro-electricity is also generated which is provided to industries to run machines.
(v) Dams control floods at the time of excessive rainfall.
(vi) It protects the devastation of life and property and soil does not get eroded.
(2) Disadvantages
(i) Multipurpose project affects the natural flow of water.
(ii) It cause the excessive sediments at the bottom of the river which makes stream beds rockier.
(iii) It causes the poor habitat of aquatic life.multi purpose projects causes no migration of aquatic fauna.
(iv) The dam submerged the vegetation and soil at the both of the bank of the river and causes flood plains
(v) Multipurpose projects also causes new social movement like Narmada bachaoandolan.