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{{Short description|Dam in Andhra Pradesh, India}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2019}}
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2019}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox dam
{{Infobox dam
| name = Pulichintala Project
| name = Pulichintala Project
| name_official = K.L Rao Sagar
| name_official = K.L Rao Sagar
| image =  
| image = File:Pulichintala Project.png
| image_size = 280px
| image_size = 280px
| image_caption =  
| image_caption = Pulichinthala Dam
| image_alt =  
| image_alt =  
| location_map = India Andhra Pradesh
| location_map = India Andhra Pradesh
Line 14: Line 16:
| coordinates = {{coord|16|45|15|N|80|03|24|E|type:landmark_region:IN-AP|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates = {{coord|16|45|15|N|80|03|24|E|type:landmark_region:IN-AP|display=inline,title}}
| country = [[India]]
| country = [[India]]
| location = [[Pulichintala]] village, [[Bellamkonda]], [[Guntur district]], [[Andhra Pradesh]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://irrigationap.cgg.gov.in/wrd/static/approjects/KLRaoProject.html|publisher= Ap Irrigation Department|title=K L Rao Sagar|date=12 January 2013|access-date=13 August 2019}} </ref>
| location = [[Pulichintala]] village, [[Bellamkonda]], [[Palnadu district]], [[Andhra Pradesh]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://irrigationap.cgg.gov.in/wrd/static/approjects/KLRaoProject.html|publisher= Ap Irrigation Department|title=K L Rao Sagar|date=12 January 2013|access-date=13 August 2019}}</ref>
| purpose = [[Irrigation]] & [[Water supply]]
| purpose = [[Irrigation]] &amp; [[Water supply]]
| status =  
| status =  
| construction_began = 14 November 2010
| construction_began = 08 August 2009
| opening = 7 December 2013
| opening = 7 December 2013
| cost = 1850 crore rupees
| cost = 1850 crore rupees
Line 37: Line 39:
| res_capacity_active = 36.23 [[Tmcft]]
| res_capacity_active = 36.23 [[Tmcft]]
| res_capacity_inactive =  
| res_capacity_inactive =  
| res_catchment = 240,732 sq.km
| res_catchment = 240,732 km<sup>2</sup>
| res_surface = 144 sq.km
| res_surface = 144 km<sup>2</sup>
| res_max_length =  
| res_max_length =  
| res_max_width =  
| res_max_width =  
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| plant_name =  
| plant_name =  
| plant_coordinates =  
| plant_coordinates =  
| plant_operator = [[APGENCO]]<ref>{{cite web  |url= http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/proj_mon/status_he_execution.pdf  |title= Status of Hydro Electric Projects under Execution for 12th Plan & beyond  |access-date= 30 June 2014  |url-status= dead  |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140715003433/http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/proj_mon/status_he_execution.pdf  |archive-date= 15 July 2014  }}</ref>
| plant_operator = [[APGENCO]]<ref>{{cite web  |url= http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/proj_mon/status_he_execution.pdf  |title= Status of Hydro Electric Projects under Execution for 12th Plan &amp; beyond  |access-date= 30 June 2014  |url-status= dead  |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140715003433/http://www.cea.nic.in/reports/proj_mon/status_he_execution.pdf  |archive-date= 15 July 2014  }}</ref>
| plant_commission = {{start date|2016|09|22}}
| plant_commission = {{start date|2016|09|22}}
| plant_decommission =  
| plant_decommission =  
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| extra =  
| extra =  
}}
}}
[[File:KL Rao Sagar Pulichinthala Project entrance.png|alt=Dr. KL Rao Sagar Pulichinthala Project entrance|thumb|291x291px|Project entrance]]
The '''Pulichintala Project''' is a multi-purpose [[water management]] project for [[irrigation]], [[Hydropower|hydropower generation]], and [[flood control]] in the state of [[Andhra Pradesh]], [[India]], named after the prominent civil engineer, [[Kanuri Lakshmana Rao]].<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2023-07-15 |title='Father of Irrigation' K.L. Rao remembered on his 121st birth anniversary in Andhra University in Visakhapatnam |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/father-of-irrigation-kl-rao-remembered-on-his-121st-birth-anniversary-in-andhra-university-in-visakhapatnam/article67083992.ece |access-date=2024-10-23 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> It is a crucial irrigation facility for farmers in four coastal districts: [[West Godavari]], [[Krishna]], [[Guntur]], [[Palanadu]], and [[Prakasam district|Prakasam]], covering over 13 [[lakh]] [[acre]]s. It has 24 gates and a balancing reservoir with a capacity of 46 [[Tmcft]] at {{convert|175|ft|m|0}} [[Mean sea level|MSL]] full reservoir level (FRL).<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url= http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Pulichintala_D06327  |title=  Pulichintala D06327 |access-date=30 June 2014}}</ref>


'''Pulichintala Project''' is a multipurpose 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 district|Prakasam]] where irrigation facility for 13 lakh acres. It has 24 gates in all with balancing reservoir with a capacity of 46 [[tmcft]] at {{convert|175|ft|m|0}} [[Mean sea level|MSL]] full reservoir level (FRL). <ref>{{cite web|url= http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpinfo/index.php?title=Pulichintala_D06327  |title= Pulichintala D06327 |access-date=30 June 2014}}</ref> The project started impounding the water in August 2014. <ref>{{cite web|url= http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Engineers-complete-trial-run-of-Pulichintala-Project/articleshow/40313223.cms  |title= Engineers complete trial run of Pulichintala Project  |access-date=16 August 2014}}</ref> The cost of the project has exceeded Rs.1850 crores.
==History==
In 1911, British engineer [[William Henry Ellis (engineer)|Col. Ellis]] proposed an irrigation project upstream of the [[Prakasam Barrage]]. At the time, the [[Colonial India|British government]] showed little interest in the proposition.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Jonathan|first=P. Samuel|date=2013-12-08|title=Pulichantala dedicated to nation|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/pulichantala-dedicated-to-nation/article5434456.ece|access-date=2021-07-14|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Later,{{When|date=September 2025|reason=what year? There's nearly a century between the British engineer's suggestion and started of the first project. Mentioning a year for this "push being led" would narrow things down in terms of timeframe.}} <ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|last=Rao|first=K. L.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=850aAAAAMAAJ|title=Cusecs Candidate: Memoirs of an Engineer|date=1978|publisher=Metropolitan|pages=31|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-01-07/hyderabad/27123919_1_prakasam-barrage-pulichintala-krishna-delta |title=Pulichintala project to water Prakasam barrage ayacut - Times of India |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131127183600/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-01-07/hyderabad/27123919_1_prakasam-barrage-pulichintala-krishna-delta |archive-date=27 November 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> It was the first project to start under the ambitious [[Jalayagnam]] program in the year 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |title=KLRao Sagar Pulichintala Project |url=https://irrigationap.cgg.gov.in/wrd/static/approjects/KLRaoProject.html}}</ref> Financial tie-up commenced in 2009.


==History==
On 7 December 2013, the project was ready for a trial run,<ref>{{cite web |title=Pulichintala project on August 15 |url=http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130710/news-politics/article/pulichintala-project-august-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715033948/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130710/news-politics/article/pulichintala-project-august-15 |archive-date=2013-07-15 |website=[[Deccan Chronicle]]}}</ref> and it started impounding water in August 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Engineers complete trial run of Pulichintala Project |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/Engineers-complete-trial-run-of-Pulichintala-Project/articleshow/40313223.cms |access-date=16 August 2014 |website=[[The Times of India]]|date=16 August 2014 }}</ref> It was fully completed in September 2018.<ref>{{Citation|title=AP Govt Plans to Develop Pulichintala Project as Tourist Place {{!}} Pulichintala Project {{!}} AP24x7|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdKT0BimzXI|language=en|access-date=2020-01-19}}</ref> The total cost of the project exceeded Rs.1850 crores.{{citation needed|date=November 2022}}
The project was first conceived in 1911 by British engineer Col Ellis as an irrigation project upstream of the [[Prakasam Barrage]], but the British government did not show interest at the time.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Jonathan|first=P. Samuel|date=2013-12-08|title=Pulichantala dedicated to nation|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/pulichantala-dedicated-to-nation/article5434456.ece|access-date=2021-07-14|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> Later, the [[Muktyala Raja|Raja of Muktyala]] (Raja Vasireddy Ramakrishna Maheswara Prasad), credited for the building of the [[Nagarjuna Sagar Dam]], led the push for the Pulichintala Project and with the help of [[Moturi Satyanarayana]] and [[Kanuri Lakshmana Rao|K.L Rao]] placed the project back on track.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book|last=Rao|first=K. L.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=850aAAAAMAAJ|title=Cusecs Candidate: Memoirs of an Engineer|date=1978|publisher=Metropolitan|pages=31|language=en}}</ref> The foundation stone was laid by the then Chief Minister, [[N. T. Rama Rao]] on 13 November 1988 at a projected cost of 188 crores.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20131127183600/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2002-01-07/hyderabad/27123919_1_prakasam-barrage-pulichintala-krishna-delta ]</ref> It was the first project to start under the ambitious [[Jalayagnam]] in the year 2004–05 which was started by [[Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy]], then chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. It was opened on 7 December 2013 by [[Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh|CM of Andhra Pradesh]], [[Kiran Kumar Reddy]].<ref>http://www.deccanchronicle.com/130710/news-politics/article/pulichintala-project-august-15</ref> And full Project completed in Sep 2018 by Chief Minister [[N. Chandrababu Naidu|N.Chandrababu Naidu]] with a Storing Capacity of 45 TMC water ready to release.<ref>{{Citation|title=AP Govt Plans to Develop Pulichintala Project as Tourist Place {{!}} Pulichintala Project {{!}} AP24x7|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdKT0BimzXI|language=en|access-date=2020-01-19}}</ref>


==Project==
==Project==


It is located in Pulichintala village in [[Guntur district]] near the [[Krishna River]],<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.apgenco.gov.in/viewHTMLpage.asp?lfile=uploadedfiles/Pulichinthala.htm  |title=  Pulichintala project progress report, APGenCo  |access-date=15 May 2013}}</ref> between [[Vykuntapuram barrage]] near [[Amaravati]] and the [[Nagarjuna Sagar dam]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/naidu-lays-foundation-stone-for-barrage-across-krishna/article26265021.ece|title=Naidu lays foundation stone for barrage across Krishna|last=Srinivas|first=Rajulapudi|date=2019-02-14|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-03-01|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> It has 30 [[Tmcft]] live storage capacity to impound the Krishna river flood waters generated from the catchment area located downstream of [[Nagarjuna Sagar tail pond|Nagarjuna sagar Tail Pond]]. This project reservoir will provide timely water supply to downstream [[Prakasam Barrage]]. Water to the [[Prakasam Barrage]] can be supplied from [[Pattiseema]] lift / [[Polavaram Project|Polavaram]] irrigation canal during monsoon months.
The irrigation facility is in the Pulichintala village, located in the [[Palnadu district]] near the [[Krishna River]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.apgenco.gov.in/viewHTMLpage.asp?lfile=uploadedfiles/Pulichinthala.htm  |title=  Pulichintala project progress report, APGenCo  |access-date=15 May 2013}}</ref> It is between the [[Vykuntapuram barrage]] (near [[Amaravati]]) and the [[Nagarjuna Sagar dam]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Vijayawada/naidu-lays-foundation-stone-for-barrage-across-krishna/article26265021.ece|title=Naidu lays foundation stone for barrage across Krishna|last=Srinivas|first=Rajulapudi|date=2019-02-14|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-03-01|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> It has a 30 [[Tmcft]] live storage capacity to impound river floodwaters generated from the [[catchment area]] located downstream of [[Nagarjuna Sagar tail pond|Nagarjuna Sagar Tail Pond]]. The project reservoir provides a water supply to the downstream [[Prakasam Barrage]] that then can be sent out through the [[Pattiseema]] lift/[[Polavaram Project|Polavaram]] irrigation canal during monsoon months.{{cn|date=August 2023}}


Vellatur lift irrigation scheme (near {{Coord|16|42|44|N|80|00|29|E|name=Pulichintala lift scheme}}) with 13,000 acres irrigated area in [[Nalgonda district]] drawing water from the Pulichintala reservoir has been constructed.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.siasat.com/news/kcr-harish-rao-lying-pulichintala-issue-uttam-979080/ |title= KCR, Harish Rao lying on Pulichintala issue: Uttam |access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref> This lift can pump water from {{convert|120|ft|m|0}} MSL when the reservoir's gross storage is as low as 4 Tmcft. The proposed [[Yadadri Thermal Power Plant]] would also draw its water needs from the reservoir.
The Vellatur lift irrigation scheme (constructed near {{Coord|16|42|44|N|80|00|29|E|name=Pulichintala lift scheme}}), irrigates 13,000 acres in the [[Nalgonda district]]. It draws water from the Pulichintala reservoir.<ref>{{cite web |title=KCR, Harish Rao lying on Pulichintala issue: Uttam |date=27 June 2016 |url=http://www.siasat.com/news/kcr-harish-rao-lying-pulichintala-issue-uttam-979080/ |access-date=28 September 2016}}</ref> The lift can pump water from {{convert|120|ft|m|0}} MSL when the reservoir's gross storage is as low as 4 Tmcft. The proposed [[Yadadri Thermal Power Plant]] would also draw water from the reservoir.{{cn|date=August 2023}}


==Godavari Penna River Linking==
==Godavari Penna River Linking==


Main article : [[Vykuntapuram barrage|Vykuntapuram Barrage]]
{{Main articles|Vykuntapuram barrage}}{{Confusing|section|reason=there are a lot of confusing jargon and unclear explanations|date=June 2022}}
The Godavari Penna River linking project was constructed to stabilize the existing irrigated area under the [[Nagarjuna Sagar Dam|Nagarjuna Sagar right canal]]. The new lift would have greenfield alignment, and its first phase consists of five-step ladder pumping stages that transfer 7,000 [[Cubic foot|cusecs]] of [[Godavari River]] water from [[Prakasam Barrage]] to deliver 73 Tmcft of Godavari water into the Nagarjuna Sagar right canal near [[Nekarikallu]].{{Clarify|date=June 2022|reason=Where do the cusecs go? Where did the TMCs come?}}


To stabilize the existing irrigated area under [[Nagarjuna Sagar Dam|Nagarjuna Sagar right canal]], a new lift project construction with greenfield alignment was started having five-step ladder pumping Stages and Canal to transfer 7,000 cusecs of Godavari water from Prakasam barrage backwaters into the Nagarjuna Sagar right canal near [[Nekarikallu]] in the first phase of Godavari Penna River linking project to utilize 73 tmcft of Godavari water. With FRL 25M newly created Vykuntapuram Barrage pond will have backwaters beyond [[Pokkunuru]] up to the toe of the Pulichinthala Project. It is more economical to construct the First stage pump house of this lift project to lift water from [[Prakasam Barrage]] Backwater into Newly Created Vykuntapuram Barrage pond and the second Lift stage from Vykuntapuram Barrage pond to Existing [[KLRao Sagar multipurpose irrigation project|K.L Rao sagar]] pulichintala Project and later lift Stages from K.L Rao Sagar to [[Nagarjuna Sagar Dam|Nagarjuna sagar]] right canal. It will shorten the length of this lift project canal, Pressure Main and fewer lift stages and also enables to lift water up to [[Srisailam Dam|Srisailam Project]] via existing [[Francis turbine|Reversible Reverse turbine]] pump houses in [[Nagarjuna Sagar Dam]] and its [[Nagarjuna Sagar tail pond|tail pond project]]. It is even more economical if with the construction of a new gravity canal from Ibrahimpatnam to Vykuntapuram Barrage pond to deliver the [[Polavaram Project|Polavaram right main canal]]/ [[Budameru Rivulet|Budameru diversion canal]] waters directly into the Vykuntapuram barrage pond since Polavaram right main canal level is 33 m MSL at Ambapuram hill near [[Vijayawada]].
With FRL 25M the newly created [[Vykuntapuram barrage|Vykuntapuram Barrage]] pond will have backwaters beyond [[Pokkunuru]] up to the toe of the Pulichinthala Project. It is more economical to construct the first stage pump house to lift water from the Prakasam Barrage backwater into the newly created Vykuntapuram Barrage pond and the second Lift stage from the Vykuntapuram Barrage pond to the existing [[KLRao Sagar multipurpose irrigation project|K.L Rao Sagar]] Pulichintala Project and later lift Stages from K.L Rao Sagar to [[Nagarjuna Sagar Dam|Nagarjuna Sagar]] right canal. It will shorten the length of this lift project canal, Pressure Main and fewer lift stages and also enable to lift of water up to [[Srisailam Dam|Srisailam Project]] via the existing [[Francis turbine|Reversible Reverse turbine]] pump houses in [[Nagarjuna Sagar Dam]] and its [[Nagarjuna Sagar tail pond|tail pond project]]. It is even more economical if the construction of a new gravity canal from [[Ibrahimpatnam mandal, NTR district|Ibrahimpatnam]] to Vykuntapuram Barrage pond to deliver the [[Polavaram Project|Polavaram right main canal]]/ [[Budameru Rivulet|Budameru diversion canal]] waters directly into the Vykuntapuram barrage pond since Polavaram right main canal level is 33 m MSL at Ambapuram hill near [[Vijayawada]].{{cn|date=August 2023}}


A low level lift canal from the Krishna river located near {{Coord|16|42|50|N|80|08|24|E|type:landmark_region:IN-AP}} at {{convert|20|m|ft|0}} MSL in the downstream of [[Pulichintala]] dam will be executed to feed [[Godavari River|Godavari]] water diverted from Polavaram Dam to some of the existing command area (situated below 60 m MSL) under Nagarjuna Sagar right bank canal to facilitate extension of Nagarjuna Sagar right bank canal connecting to [[Kandaleru Dam|Kandaleru]] feeder canal / [[Somasila Dam]] reservoir for serving irrigation needs in [[Prakasam district|Prakasam]], [[Nellore district|Potti Sriramulu Nellore]] and [[Chittur district|Chittur]] districts including [[Telugu Ganga project|Chennai drinking water supply]]. A branch from this lift canal is also extended up to Pulichinthala dam (FRL 53.34 m MSL) to store Godavari water in Pulichintala reservoir during drought years and to irrigate low lands along Krishna river up to Pulichintala dam.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/070916/pulichintala-a-capital-saviour.html  |title= Pulichintala, a capital saviour|access-date=7 September 2016}}</ref>
A low-level, lift canal from the Krishna river located near {{Coord|16|42|50|N|80|08|24|E|type:landmark_region:IN-AP}} at {{convert|20|m|ft|0}} MSL downstream of [[Pulichintala]] dam will be executed to feed [[Godavari River|Godavari]] water diverted from Polavaram Dam to some of the existing command area (situated below 60 m MSL) under Nagarjuna Sagar right bank canal to facilitate the extension of Nagarjuna Sagar right bank canal connecting [[Kandaleru Dam|Kandaleru]] feeder canal / [[Somasila Dam]] reservoir serving irrigation needs in [[Prakasam district|Prakasam]], [[Nellore district|Potti Sriramulu Nellore]] and [[Chittur district|Chittur]] districts including [[Telugu Ganga project|Chennai drinking water supply]]. A branch from this lift canal is also extended up to Pulichinthala dam (FRL 53.34 m MSL) to store Godavari water in Pulichintala reservoir during drought years and to irrigate lowlands along the [[Krishna River|Krishna river]] up to Pulichintala dam.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/070916/pulichintala-a-capital-saviour.html  |title= Pulichintala, a capital saviour|date= 7 September 2016|access-date=7 September 2016}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 90: Line 95:
{{Krishna River dams}}
{{Krishna River dams}}


[[Category: Dams in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Dams in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category: Irrigation in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Irrigation in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:2013 establishments in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:2013 establishments in Andhra Pradesh]]
[[Category:Dams completed in 2013]]
[[Category:Dams completed in 2013]]

Latest revision as of 11:58, 22 March 2026


Pulichintala Project
Pulichinthala Dam
Pulichinthala Project is located in Andhra Pradesh
Pulichinthala Project
Location of Pulichintala Project in Andhra Pradesh
Official nameK.L Rao Sagar
CountryIndia
LocationPulichintala village, Bellamkonda, Palnadu district, Andhra Pradesh[1]
Coordinates16°45′15″N 80°03′24″E / 16.75417°N 80.05667°E / 16.75417; 80.05667
PurposeIrrigation & Water supply
Construction began08 August 2009
Opening date7 December 2013
Construction cost1850 crore rupees
Owner(s)Government of Andhra Pradesh
Operator(s)Andhra Pradesh
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsKrishna River
Height42.24 m
Length2,922 m
Width (base)31 m
Spillway typeControlled
Spillway capacity10 lakh cusecs
Reservoir
CreatesPulichinthala Reservoir
Total capacity46 Tmcft
Active capacity36.23 Tmcft
Catchment area240,732 km2
Surface area144 km2
Operator(s)APGENCO[2]
Commission dateSeptember 22, 2016 (2016-09-22)
Hydraulic head25 Meters
Turbines4 × 30 MW Kaplan turbine
Installed capacity120 MW
Website
irrigationap.cgg.gov.in/wrd/dashBoard
Dr. KL Rao Sagar Pulichinthala Project entrance
Project entrance

The Pulichintala Project is a multi-purpose water management project for irrigation, hydropower generation, and flood control in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, named after the prominent civil engineer, Kanuri Lakshmana Rao.[3][4] It is a crucial irrigation facility for farmers in four coastal districts: West Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Palanadu, and Prakasam, covering over 13 lakh acres. It has 24 gates and a balancing reservoir with a capacity of 46 Tmcft at 175 feet (53 m) MSL full reservoir level (FRL).[3]

History[edit | edit source]

In 1911, British engineer Col. Ellis proposed an irrigation project upstream of the Prakasam Barrage. At the time, the British government showed little interest in the proposition.[5] Later,[when?] [5][6][7] It was the first project to start under the ambitious Jalayagnam program in the year 2005.[8] Financial tie-up commenced in 2009.

On 7 December 2013, the project was ready for a trial run,[9] and it started impounding water in August 2014.[10] It was fully completed in September 2018.[11] The total cost of the project exceeded Rs.1850 crores.[citation needed]

Project[edit | edit source]

The irrigation facility is in the Pulichintala village, located in the Palnadu district near the Krishna River.[12] It is between the Vykuntapuram barrage (near Amaravati) and the Nagarjuna Sagar dam.[13] It has a 30 Tmcft live storage capacity to impound river floodwaters generated from the catchment area located downstream of Nagarjuna Sagar Tail Pond. The project reservoir provides a water supply to the downstream Prakasam Barrage that then can be sent out through the Pattiseema lift/Polavaram irrigation canal during monsoon months.[citation needed]

The Vellatur lift irrigation scheme (constructed near 16°42′44″N 80°00′29″E / 16.71222°N 80.00806°E / 16.71222; 80.00806 (Pulichintala lift scheme)), irrigates 13,000 acres in the Nalgonda district. It draws water from the Pulichintala reservoir.[14] The lift can pump water from 120 feet (37 m) MSL when the reservoir's gross storage is as low as 4 Tmcft. The proposed Yadadri Thermal Power Plant would also draw water from the reservoir.[citation needed]

Godavari Penna River Linking[edit | edit source]

Main article: Vykuntapuram barrage

The Godavari Penna River linking project was constructed to stabilize the existing irrigated area under the Nagarjuna Sagar right canal. The new lift would have greenfield alignment, and its first phase consists of five-step ladder pumping stages that transfer 7,000 cusecs of Godavari River water from Prakasam Barrage to deliver 73 Tmcft of Godavari water into the Nagarjuna Sagar right canal near Nekarikallu.[clarification needed]

With FRL 25M the newly created Vykuntapuram Barrage pond will have backwaters beyond Pokkunuru up to the toe of the Pulichinthala Project. It is more economical to construct the first stage pump house to lift water from the Prakasam Barrage backwater into the newly created Vykuntapuram Barrage pond and the second Lift stage from the Vykuntapuram Barrage pond to the existing K.L Rao Sagar Pulichintala Project and later lift Stages from K.L Rao Sagar to Nagarjuna Sagar right canal. It will shorten the length of this lift project canal, Pressure Main and fewer lift stages and also enable to lift of water up to Srisailam Project via the existing Reversible Reverse turbine pump houses in Nagarjuna Sagar Dam and its tail pond project. It is even more economical if the construction of a new gravity canal from Ibrahimpatnam to Vykuntapuram Barrage pond to deliver the Polavaram right main canal/ Budameru diversion canal waters directly into the Vykuntapuram barrage pond since Polavaram right main canal level is 33 m MSL at Ambapuram hill near Vijayawada.[citation needed]

A low-level, lift canal from the Krishna river located near 16°42′50″N 80°08′24″E / 16.71389°N 80.14000°E / 16.71389; 80.14000 at 20 metres (66 ft) MSL downstream of Pulichintala dam will be executed to feed Godavari water diverted from Polavaram Dam to some of the existing command area (situated below 60 m MSL) under Nagarjuna Sagar right bank canal to facilitate the extension of Nagarjuna Sagar right bank canal connecting Kandaleru feeder canal / Somasila Dam reservoir serving irrigation needs in Prakasam, Potti Sriramulu Nellore and Chittur districts including Chennai drinking water supply. A branch from this lift canal is also extended up to Pulichinthala dam (FRL 53.34 m MSL) to store Godavari water in Pulichintala reservoir during drought years and to irrigate lowlands along the Krishna river up to Pulichintala dam.[15]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "K L Rao Sagar". Ap Irrigation Department. 12 January 2013. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
  2. ↑ "Status of Hydro Electric Projects under Execution for 12th Plan & beyond" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Pulichintala D06327". Retrieved 30 June 2014.
  4. ↑ "'Father of Irrigation' K.L. Rao remembered on his 121st birth anniversary in Andhra University in Visakhapatnam". The Hindu. 15 July 2023. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Jonathan, P. Samuel (8 December 2013). "Pulichantala dedicated to nation". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  6. ↑ Rao, K. L. (1978). Cusecs Candidate: Memoirs of an Engineer. Metropolitan. p. 31.
  7. ↑ "Pulichintala project to water Prakasam barrage ayacut - Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  8. ↑ "KLRao Sagar Pulichintala Project".
  9. ↑ "Pulichintala project on August 15". Deccan Chronicle. Archived from the original on 15 July 2013.
  10. ↑ "Engineers complete trial run of Pulichintala Project". The Times of India. 16 August 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  11. ↑ AP Govt Plans to Develop Pulichintala Project as Tourist Place | Pulichintala Project | AP24x7, retrieved 19 January 2020
  12. ↑ "Pulichintala project progress report, APGenCo". Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  13. ↑ Srinivas, Rajulapudi (14 February 2019). "Naidu lays foundation stone for barrage across Krishna". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  14. ↑ "KCR, Harish Rao lying on Pulichintala issue: Uttam". 27 June 2016. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  15. ↑ "Pulichintala, a capital saviour". 7 September 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2016.

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