The correct option is 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation
The Damodar River is a prominent river in eastern India, originating in the Chotanagpur Plateau. It flows through the states of Jharkhand and West Bengal and is historically significant for its flood patterns and coal reserves.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Damodar River rises in the Palamau hills of Jharkhand and occupies the eastern margins of the Chotanagpur Plateau, draining the plateau towards the southeast.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The river flows through a geological rift valley. This structural trough contains sediments of the Gondwana period, which explains the rich coal deposits found in the Damodar basin.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The Barakar River is the main tributary of the Damodar. Other significant tributaries include the Konar, Bokaro, and Haharo.
- Statement 4 is Incorrect: The Damodar does not join the main stream of the Ganga directly. Instead, it joins the Hugli (Hooghly) River, which is a distributary of the Ganga, approximately 48 km below Kolkata.
Key Takeaway: The Damodar River is characterized by its flow through a rift valley on the Chotanagpur Plateau and its confluence with the Hugli River, rather than the main Ganga.