Telangana, being primarily an agrarian state, relies heavily on irrigation projects to support its agriculture and ensure water availability for farmers. Over the years, several irrigation projects have been undertaken to harness the water resources of the state. Here are some significant irrigation projects in Telangana:
1. Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project: One of the largest lift irrigation projects in the world, with a capacity of 240 TMC, the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project aims to provide water for irrigation and drinking purposes to several districts of Telangana. It involves the lifting of water from the Godavari River to irrigate over 45 lakh acres of land across multiple districts.
2. Nagarjuna Sagar Project: The Nagarjuna Sagar Project is one of the most significant irrigation and hydroelectric projects with a capacity of 180 TMC, located on the Krishna River in the Nalgonda district of Telangana. This is the largest and highest masonry dam in the world.
3. Sriram Sagar Project (SRSP): Sriram Sagar Project, also known as Pochampadu Project, is a multipurpose irrigation project built on the Godavari River with a capacity of 90.58 TMC. It provides irrigation water to over 7 lakh acres of land in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The project also generates hydroelectric power and helps in flood control.
4. Nizam Sagar Project: Nizam Sagar Project is another major irrigation project on the Manjira river with a capacity of 17.8 TMC, a tributary of the Godavari. It was constructed during the Nizam's rule in the 1920s and primarily serves the agricultural needs of Medak, Nizamabad, and Adilabad districts.
5. Sripada Yellampalli Project: The Sripada Yellampalli project, also known as the Yellampalli project with a capacity of 20.175 TMC, is a multipurpose irrigation project located in the Karimnagar district. It is one of the major irrigation projects in the Godavari River basin and serves various purposes, including irrigation, drinking water supply, and flood control.
6. Siddipet Irrigation Project: Siddipet Irrigation Project, also known as Komuravelli Mallanna Sagar Project with a capacity of 50 TMC, aims to provide irrigation water to about 2.7 lakh acres of land in Siddipet district and neighboring areas. It involves the construction of a reservoir to store water from the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme.
7. Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme: Dindi Lift Irrigation Scheme is designed to lift water from the Krishna River to irrigate about 1.8 lakh acres of land in Nalgonda and Khammam districts. The project aims to enhance agricultural productivity and mitigate water scarcity in the region.
8. Kadam Project: Kadam Project is a lift irrigation scheme with a capacity of 7.6 TMC, aimed at providing irrigation water to about 2 lakh acres of land in Adilabad district. It involves lifting water from the Godavari River to irrigate agricultural fields and promote agricultural development in the region.
9. Nakkalagandi Lift Irrigation Scheme: Nakkalagandi Lift Irrigation Scheme aims to provide irrigation water to about 1.25 lakh acres of land in the Mahabubnagar district. It involves the construction of a reservoir and pumping stations to lift water from the Krishna River.
10. Lower Manair Dam (LMD): Lower Manair Dam is located on the Manair River in Karimnagar district. It has a gross storage capacity of about 24.73 TMC and serves the irrigation needs of Karimnagar and neighboring districts. The reservoir also provides drinking water supply and supports pisciculture activities.
11. Mid Manair Dam (MMD): Mid Manair Dam is located downstream of the Lower Manair Dam on the Manair River. It has a gross storage capacity of about 25.87 TMC and serves the irrigation needs of Karimnagar and neighboring districts. The reservoir also helps in groundwater recharge and flood control.
12. Singur Dam: Singur Dam is located on the Manjira River in Medak district. It has a gross storage capacity of about 29.91 TMC and serves the irrigation needs of Medak and neighboring districts. The reservoir also provides drinking water supply and supports pisciculture activities.
13. Konda Pochamma Reservoir: The Konda Pochamma Reservoir is a key component of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) with a capacity of 15 TMC. It is named after the local deity, Konda Pochamma, and is situated in the Medak district of Telangana.
These irrigation projects play a crucial role in enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting rural development, and improving the livelihoods of farmers in Telangana. They also contribute to the overall economic growth and prosperity of the state by ensuring efficient water management and utilization.
