Conceived in 2001 under the then-chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu of undivided Andhra Pradesh, the project’s intake well was located at Devadula in Mulugu district, drawing water from the Godavari River.
Published May 04, 2025 | 10:03 AM ⚊ Updated May 04, 2025 | 5:21 PM
Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy inspected the Devannapet Pump House.
Synopsis: The Telangana government has said that it aims to complete the J Chokka Rao Devadula Lift Irrigation Project by mid-2027. The project is set to irrigate 5.57 lakh acres across Warangal, Karimnagar, and Nalgonda districts.
The Telangana government has ignited hope among farmers in Warangal, Karimnagar, and Nalgonda districts with its renewed focus on the J Chokka Rao Devadula Lift Irrigation Project.
On Saturday, 3 May, Irrigation Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy inspected the Devannapet Pump House, a key component of Phase III of the project, and announced that the state government aims to complete the project within two years, targeting full operational status by mid-2027.
The project is set to irrigate 5.57 lakh acres across the three districts. “There is no shortage of funds, and we are committed to resolving all land acquisition challenges,” the minister stated after the inspection.
During the visit, the minister reviewed the 49.06-km main tunnel under Devadula Phase III, Package III, and assessed progress at the Devannapet Pump House. Officials reported that Pump 02 has been operational, pumping water to Dharmasagar Reservoir for 62 hours. Pump 01 is slated for commissioning by 31 May, and Pump 03 by 31 July.
To address tunnel leakages and avoid conflicts with Mission Bhagiratha pipelines, 110 large steel pipes have been sourced from the Manjeera project in Kamareddy. Insertion work across all three rows is underway and expected to conclude by May end. An additional ₹3,312 crore is required to complete the project.
At Rajavaram village, the minister inspected works under the EM 1 tunnel and pump house, where two 4.3 MW pumps have been installed to lift 15.3 cusecs of water from Dharmasagar to Ghanpur Tank. Officials confirmed that a 2.8-km approach channel and super passage will be completed by August 2025.
The minister also evaluated Phase II works, sanctioned for ₹148.76 crore, to enhance the Ghanpur Main Canal through cement concrete lining and canal structure construction. Earthwork and desilting are progressing across multiple stretches.
Conceived in 2001 under the then-chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu of undivided Andhra Pradesh, the project’s intake well was located at Devadula in Mulugu district, drawing water from the Godavari River. Designed in three phases, it aims to lift approximately 60 thousand million cubic feet (TMCft) of water, requiring a minimum river level of 73 meters MSL for pumping. Non-monsoon levels often fall below 71 meters MSL, creating operational challenges.
The project features 20 pumping units across three phases, capable of lifting 5,200 cusecs of water to a maximum height of 510 meters, consuming 484 MW of power and 1.4 billion kWh annually. A 49-km tunnel in Phase III connects Ramappa Tank in Mulugu to Dharmasagar in Hanamkonda, is intended to feed 36 irrigation tanks and reservoirs, including Dharmasagar, Gandiramaram, and Ashwaraopally, and ensure a stable irrigation and drinking water supply.
The Sammakka Sagar Barrage, previously known as Kanthanapally Barrage, located 3 km downstream of the Devadula pump house, maintains backwater levels to support the project. It stabilises 2,51,310 hectares under Devadula, supplies 50 TMCft to the Sriram Sagar Project, provides drinking water, and generates 240 MW of hydroelectric power.
Despite abundant Godavari flows (1,970 TMCft in 2024), operational delays limited water utilisation, drawing criticism from the opposition BRS. Once fully operational, the Devadula project is poised to revolutionise agriculture in drought-prone regions by providing water for 300 days annually, enhancing farmer livelihoods and regional water security.
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
