Irrigation and Hydropower Projects of Andhra Pradesh

Geographically, Andhra Pradesh is in peninsular India consisting of coastal belt on the east and Rayalaseema in the south-west. Therefore, Andhra Pradesh has the advantage of having most of the east flowing rivers in the state bringing in copious supplies from the Western and Eastern Ghats and up to Bay of Bengal. Andhra Pradesh has a heritage of cultivation and irrigation dating back to several centuries. In the past, ancient Kings and rulers built artificial lakes and reservoirs by constructing bunds and anicuts across rivers for creating irrigation potential as well as drinking water for the people. Andhra Pradesh is a riverine state with 40 major, medium and minor rivers. Godavari, Krishna, Vamsadhara, Nagavali and Pennar are major interstate rivers. It helps to develop Irrigation and Hydropower Projects in Andhra pradesh.

Irrigation Projects:-

The total irrigation potential created under major and medium projects before 1956 was 29.73 Lakh Acres, and from 1956 to 02/2015 is 39.35 Lakh Acres.
The Irrigation potential created under Minor irrigation and APSIDC since inception up to 02/2015 is 32.63 Lakh Acres.
Thus, the total new irrigation potential created under Major, Medium & Minor irrigation and APSIDC in the state is 101.72 Lakh Acres.
After independence several important schemes implemented like Nagarjunasagar project, Prakasam Barrage, Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage, Tungabhadra Low-level canal, Kurnool-Cuddapah canal, Kadam project, Romperu drainage project and Upper Pennar project.
The projects under the implementation phase are Sriramsagar, Vamsadhara, Srisalim right branch canal, Yeluru Reservoir Scheme, Godavari delta system, etc.
Recently Andhra pradesh goverment launch ‘Jalasiri Harati’ scheme to to help keep drought away from the State. Under this Scheme, 28 irrigation projects will be completed.
Recently Purushothapatnam project has inaugrated. After 40 long years of wait, the people of East Godavari would get irrigation facility to 2.15 lakh acres spread over Rajanagaram, Peddapuram, Prattipadu, Pithapuram, and Jaggampeta through the Purushothapatnam project.

Hydropower Projects:-

The major power projects of the state are-the Nagarjunasagar and Neelam Sanjiva Reddy Sagar (Srisailam Hydel Project), Upper Sileru, Lower Sileru, Tungabhadra Hydel Projects and Nellore, Ramagundam, Kothagudem, Vijayawada and Muddanur thermal projects.
Main Hydel power generation projects are Srisailam Hydro Electric Project (installed capacity of 770 MW) and Nagarjunasagar Complex (installed capacity of 960 MW), whereas Vijayawada Thermal Power Station and Kothagudem Thermal Power Station are the main source of thermal power generation with installed capacity of 1260 MW and 1180 MW respectively.
Simhadri Thermal Power Station with installed capacity of 1000 MW aims at supplying the entire power generated to the state.

Top 10 Dams, Barrage and hydro projects of Andhra Pradesh:-

Nagarjuna Sagar Dam:-

Nagarjuna Sagar Dam built across the Krishna river forming boundary between Telangana and Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh state. The dam and reservoir has the second biggest water reservoir in India of 405 TMC gross storage capacity.

Srisailam Dam:-

Srisailam Dam constructed on the Krishna river at the border of Telangana and Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. The dam is located in the deep gorge in the Nallamala Hills and has the 2nd largest capacity hydroelectric project in the country.

Prakasham Barrage:-

Prakasham Barrage across the Krishna river is located at the outskirts of Vijayawada in Krishna district and the barrage also serves as a road bridge over a lake. The dam and lake are one of the major tourist attraction of Vijayawada.

Dowleswaram Barrage:-

Dowleswaram Barrage across the Godavari river in Dowleswaram was built on the last stretch of the Godavari before it empties into the Bay of Bengal. The dam and reservoir has 2.93 Tmcft gross storage capacity and one of the famous Barrage in India.

Polavaram Dam:-

Polavaram Dam across the Godavari river is a multi-purpose irrigation project under construction in Andhra Pradesh. The dam site will have canal,tunnels and underground hydro electric station and reservoir has live storage 75.2 tmcft. Recently Central Minister Nitin Gadkari Announced that Construction of Polavaram Dam will Completed before 2019 Elections.

Jalaput Dam:-

Jalaput Dam is built across the Machkund river near by border of Odisha and Andhra Pradesh in Visakhapatnam district. Jalaput Dam and Reservoir has six power generation units and one of the major source Hydroelectric power stations in the state. Machkund Hydro Power Plant India is located at Near Duduma Falls, 70 km from Jeypore, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Tatipudi Dam:-

Tatipudi Dam and Reservoir is located in Tatipudi of Vizianagaram and major source of drinking water supply to the city of Visakhapatnam. Thatipudi Reservoir has storage capacity of about 3 tmcft and is a major tourist attraction in Visakhapatnam.

Donkarayi Hydroelectric Project:-

Donkarayi Hydroelectric Project (25 MW) is built across the Sileru river of the godavari basin.

Penna Ahobilam Balancing Reservoir (PABR):-

Penna Ahobilam Balancing Reservoir (PABR) is an irrigation project located across Penner River in Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh state in India. Anantapur city gets its drinking water from the PABR. The reservoir with live storage capacity of 305 million cubic metres is mainly fed by Tungabhdra high level canal originating from the Tungabhdra Dam. A 20 MW hydro electric power station is also constructed at the dam site.

Pulichinthala Project:-

Pulichintala Project called as KLRao Sagar multipurpose irrigation project is a multi purpose project serving irrigation needs, hydro power generation and flood control. It is a crucial irrigation facility for farmers of four coastal districts of West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam where irrigation facility for 13 lakh acres.

Andhra Pradesh is a state in India with a long history of irrigation and hydropower projects. The state’s first major irrigation project was the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam, which was completed in 1969. The dam is located on the Krishna River and provides irrigation water to over 2 million hectares of land in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The state’s second major irrigation project is the Srisailam Dam, which was completed in 1980. The dam is located on the Krishna River and provides irrigation water to over 1 million hectares of land in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

In addition to these major irrigation projects, Andhra Pradesh has a number of medium and minor irrigation projects. These projects provide irrigation water to a smaller area of land, but they are still important for the state’s agricultural sector.

Andhra Pradesh also has a number of hydropower projects. The state’s largest hydropower project is the Nagarjuna Sagar Hydroelectric Project, which has a capacity of 960 megawatts. The project is located on the Krishna River and provides electricity to over 10 million people in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

The state’s second largest hydropower project is the Srisailam Hydroelectric Project, which has a capacity of 2,160 megawatts. The project is located on the Krishna River and provides electricity to over 15 million people in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

In addition to these major hydropower projects, Andhra Pradesh has a number of medium and minor hydropower projects. These projects provide electricity to a smaller area, but they are still important for the state’s Energy sector.

Andhra Pradesh’s irrigation and hydropower projects have had a significant impact on the state’s economy and Society. The projects have helped to increase agricultural production, provide jobs, and improve the Quality Of Life for millions of people.

However, the projects have also had some negative impacts. The construction of dams has displaced thousands of people and disrupted the lives of many more. The projects have also had an impact on the Environment, causing Water Pollution and deforestation.

Despite these negative impacts, Andhra Pradesh’s irrigation and hydropower projects have been a success. The projects have helped to improve the lives of millions of people and have made Andhra Pradesh a major economic and agricultural power in India.

Here are some additional details about the projects mentioned above:

The Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is a concrete gravity dam on the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is the second largest dam in India by volume and the largest dam in Andhra Pradesh. The dam was constructed between 1955 and 1969 and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1969. The dam has a height of 124 meters (407 ft) and a length of 1,900 meters (6,234 ft). The dam creates a reservoir with a capacity of 11,000 million cubic meters (390 billion cubic feet). The dam is used for irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation.
The Srisailam Dam is a concrete gravity dam on the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh, India. It is the largest dam in India by volume and the third largest dam in Andhra Pradesh. The dam was constructed between 1974 and 1980 and was inaugurated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1980. The dam has a height of 196 meters (643 ft) and a length of 2,000 meters (6,562 ft). The dam creates a reservoir with a capacity of 21,000 million cubic meters (740 billion cubic feet). The dam is used for irrigation, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation.
The Nagarjuna Sagar Hydroelectric Project is a hydroelectric power plant on the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh, India. The plant has a capacity of 960 megawatts and is the largest hydroelectric power plant in Andhra Pradesh. The plant was commissioned in 1969 and is operated by the Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation Limited. The plant uses water from the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam to generate electricity.
The Srisailam Hydroelectric Project is a hydroelectric power plant on the Krishna River in Andhra Pradesh, India. The plant has a capacity of 2,160 megawatts and is the second largest hydroelectric power plant in Andhra Pradesh. The plant was commissioned in 1980 and is operated by the Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation Limited. The plant uses water from the Srisailam Dam to generate electricity.

Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about irrigation and hydropower projects:

What is irrigation?
Irrigation is the artificial application of water to land to assist in the growing of crops.
What is hydropower?
Hydropower is the conversion of the energy of falling water into electricity.
What are the benefits of irrigation?
Irrigation can increase crop yields, improve crop quality, and extend the growing season. It can also help to control pests and diseases, and reduce Soil erosion.
What are the drawbacks of irrigation?
Irrigation can be expensive, and it can require a lot of water. It can also lead to water pollution, and it can damage the environment.
What are the benefits of hydropower?
Hydropower is a RENEWABLE ENERGY source, and it does not produce greenhouse gases. It is also a reliable Source Of Energy, and it can be used to generate electricity in remote areas.
What are the drawbacks of hydropower?
Hydropower projects can be expensive to build, and they can have a negative impact on the environment. They can also displace people who live in the area where the project is built.
What are some examples of irrigation projects?
Some examples of irrigation projects include canals, dams, and wells.
What are some examples of hydropower projects?
Some examples of hydropower projects include dams, hydroelectric power Plants, and tidal power plants.
What are the different types of irrigation systems?
There are two main types of irrigation systems: surface irrigation and subsurface irrigation. Surface irrigation systems apply water to the surface of the soil, while subsurface irrigation systems apply water below the surface of the soil.
What are the different types of hydropower systems?
There are two main types of hydropower systems: run-of-river systems and storage systems. Run-of-river systems use the natural flow of water, while storage systems store water in a reservoir before using it to generate electricity.
What are the challenges of irrigation and hydropower development?
Some of the challenges of irrigation and hydropower development include water scarcity, environmental impact, and social impact.
What are the future trends in irrigation and hydropower development?
Some of the future trends in irrigation and hydropower development include the use of renewable energy sources, the development of new technologies, and the need to address water scarcity.

Which of the following is not a type of irrigation?
(A) Canal Irrigation
(B) Sprinkler Irrigation
(C) Drip Irrigation
(D) Hydropower
Which of the following is the largest irrigation project in Andhra Pradesh?
(A) Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
(B) Srisailam Dam
(C) Pulichintala Dam
(D) Krishna Barrage
Which of the following is the largest hydropower project in Andhra Pradesh?
(A) Nagarjuna Sagar Dam
(B) Srisailam Dam
(C) Pulichintala Dam
(D) Krishna Barrage
Which of the following is the main source of water for irrigation in Andhra Pradesh?
(A) Rainfall
(B) Rivers
(C) Tanks
(D) Wells
Which of the following is the main crop grown in Andhra Pradesh?
(A) Rice
(B) Cotton
(C) Sugarcane
(D) Tobacco
Which of the following is the main irrigation method used in Andhra Pradesh?
(A) Canal irrigation
(B) Sprinkler irrigation
(C) Drip irrigation
(D) Flood irrigation
Which of the following is the main reason for the decline in the water table in Andhra Pradesh?
(A) Over-extraction of groundwater
(B) Deforestation
(C) Industrialization
(D) agriculture
Which of the following is the main impact of the decline in the water table in Andhra Pradesh?
(A) Water scarcity
(B) Land degradation
(C) Soil erosion
(D) Salinity intrusion
Which of the following is the main government initiative to address the water crisis in Andhra Pradesh?
(A) Mission Bhagiratha
(B) Neeru-Chettu
(C) Jalayagnam
(D) Sujala Sravanti
Which of the following is the main goal of Mission Bhagiratha?
(A) To provide drinking water to all households in Andhra Pradesh
(B) To improve the quality of water in Andhra Pradesh
(C) To increase the water storage capacity in Andhra Pradesh
(D) To reduce the water demand in Andhra Pradesh