Irrigation and Hydropower | APPSC State Specific Preparation Course - APPSC (Andhra Pradesh) PDF Download

Introduction

• Andhra Pradesh, located in peninsular India, is blessed with a coastal belt in the east and Rayalaseema in the south-west, benefiting from the east flowing rivers originating from the Western and Eastern Ghats.
• The state boasts a rich history of agriculture and irrigation dating back centuries, with ancient rulers constructing reservoirs and lakes to harness the water resources.
• Godavari, Krishna, Vamsadhara, Nagavali, and Pennar are some of the major interstate rivers in Andhra Pradesh, facilitating the development of irrigation and hydropower projects.

Irrigation Projects

• The combined irrigation potential from major and medium projects pre-1956 was 29.73 Lakh Acres, while from 1956 to 02/2015 it reached 39.35 Lakh Acres. Minor irrigation and APSIDC contributed 32.63 Lakh Acres by February 2015, making the total new irrigation potential 101.72 Lakh Acres.
• Post-independence, significant projects such as Nagarjunasagar, Prakasam Barrage, Sir Arthur Cotton Barrage, Tungabhadra Low-level canal, Kurnool-Cuddapah canal, Kadam project, Romperu drainage project, and Upper Pennar project were executed.
• Ongoing projects include Sriramsagar, Vamsadhara, Srisalim right branch canal, Yeluru Reservoir Scheme, Godavari delta system, among others.
• The recently launched 'Jalasiri Harati' scheme by the Andhra Pradesh government aims to combat drought. It involves completing 28 irrigation projects.
• The inauguration of the Purushothapatnam project after a 40-year wait brings irrigation to 2.15 lakh acres in East Godavari, covering Rajanagaram, Peddapuram, Prattipadu, Pithapuram, and Jaggampeta.

Hydropower Projects

• Hydropower projects play a vital role in Andhra Pradesh's energy landscape, harnessing the state's abundant water resources to generate electricity.
• One such example is the Purushothapatnam project, which not only provides irrigation but also contributes to hydropower generation, benefiting regions like East Godavari.
• The key power projects in Andhra Pradesh include Nagarjunasagar, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy Sagar (Srisailam Hydel Project), Upper Sileru, Lower Sileru, Tungabhadra Hydel Projects, and Nellore, Ramagundam, Kothagudem, Vijayawada, and Muddanur thermal projects.
• Primary Hydel power generation projects consist of Srisailam Hydro Electric Project (770 MW) and Nagarjunasagar Complex (960 MW).
• Vijayawada Thermal Power Station and Kothagudem Thermal Power Station are the main sources of thermal power with installed capacities of 1260 MW and 1180 MW, respectively.
• Simhadri Thermal Power Station, with a capacity of 1000 MW, is dedicated to supplying all generated power to the state.

Top 10 Dams, Barrage, and Hydro Projects in Andhra Pradesh

• Nagarjuna Sagar Dam: Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is situated on the Krishna river, marking the boundary between Telangana and Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. It boasts the second-largest water reservoir in India, with a gross storage capacity of 405 TMC.
• Srisailam Dam: Srisailam Dam, positioned on the Krishna river at the Telangana and Kurnool district border, is nestled in the deep gorge of the Nallamala Hills. This dam hosts the country's second-largest capacity hydroelectric project.
  
• Prakasham Barrage: Prakasham Barrage, spanning the Krishna river on the outskirts of Vijayawada in Krishna district, doubles as a road bridge across a lake. It stands as a significant tourist attraction in Vijayawada.
• Dowleswaram Barrage: Dowleswaram Barrage extends across the Godavari river in Dowleswaram, situated on the river's final stretch before it meets the Bay of Bengal. This barrage and reservoir offer a gross storage capacity of 2.93 Tmcft, making it a renowned structure in India.
• Polavaram Dam: Polavaram Dam, crossing the Godavari river, is a versatile irrigation project under construction in Andhra Pradesh. The dam complex will include canals, tunnels, an underground hydroelectric station, with the reservoir holding a live storage of 75.2 tmcft. Recently, Central Minister Nitin Gadkari announced the dam's completion before the 2019 Elections.
• Jalaput Dam: Jalaput Dam is erected across the Machkund river near the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh border in Visakhapatnam district. This dam and reservoir house six power generation units, establishing itself as a key hydroelectric power source in the state. The Machkund Hydro Power Plant in India is situated near Duduma Falls, 70 km from Jeypore, Andhra Pradesh.
  
• Tatipudi Dam: The Tatipudi Dam and Reservoir, situated in Tatipudi of Vizianagaram, serve as a significant water source for Visakhapatnam. With a storage capacity of around 3 tmcft, it is a popular tourist spot in the region.
• Donkarayi Hydroelectric Project: The Donkarayi Hydroelectric Project, generating 25 MW, is constructed on the Sileru River within the Godavari basin.
• Penna Ahobilam Balancing Reservoir (PABR): The Penna Ahobilam Balancing Reservoir (PABR) is an irrigation venture located across the Penner River in Andhra Pradesh's Anantapur district. Anantapur city's water needs are met by the PABR, which has a live storage capacity of 305 million cubic meters. It is primarily fed by the Tungabhdra high-level canal originating from the Tungabhdra Dam. Additionally, a 20 MW hydroelectric power station is established at the dam site.
• Pulichinthala Project: The Pulichintala Project, also known as the KLRao Sagar multipurpose irrigation project, plays a crucial role in irrigation, hydro power generation, and flood control. It is a vital irrigation facility for farmers in four coastal districts: West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, and Prakasam, providing irrigation for 13 lakh acres of land.