SRISAILAM DAM HISTORY

SRISAILAM DAM:-

     The Srisailam Dam is a dam constructed across the Krishna River at Srisailam in the Kurnool district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India and is the 2nd largest capacity hydroelectric project in the country.

The dam was constructed in a deep gorge in the Nallamala Hills, 300 m (980 ft) above sea level. It is 512 m (1,680 ft) long, 145 m (476 ft) high and has 12 radial crest gates. It has a reservoir of 800 km² (310 sq mi). The left bank hydroelectric power station generates 6 × 150 MW of power and right bank generates 7 × 110 MW of power.

The Srisailam project began in 1960, initially as a power project, across the Krishna, near Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh. After several delays, the main dam was finally completed twenty years later in 1981. In the meantime the project was converted into a multipurpose facility with a generating capacity of 770 MW by its second stage which was expected to be completed in 1987. The dam is to provide water for an estimated 2,000 km² (770 sq mi) with its catchment area of 206,040 km² (79,552 sq mi) and water spread of 1,595 km² (616 sq mi). Under the right branch canal 790 km² (310 sq mi) in Kurnool and Kaddapa districts will have assured irrigation. From the initial modest estimate of rs384.7 million for a power project the total cost of the multipurpose project was estimated to cross Rs.10 billion in its enlarged form. The 143 m (469 ft) high and 512 m (1,680 ft) wide dam has alone cost Rs.4.04 billion together with the installation of four generating sets of 110 MW each. The right branch canal is estimated to cost Rs.4.49 billion and the initial investment of Rs.1.4 billion has been provided by the World Bank. The projected cost-benefit ratio of the project has been worked out at 1:1.91 at 10% interest on capital outlay.

BRIEF INFORMATION:-

          The Srisailam Dam is an important Dam project in the state of Andhra Pradesh across the Krishna River at Srisailam in the Kurnool district. The Srisailam Dam is one of the 12 largest hydroelectric projects in the country. The dam is built in a deep gorge in the Nallamala hills, which is 300 m or 980 feet above sea level. The Srisailam Dam is 512 m or 1,680 feet long, 240.79 m or 790.0 feet high and features 12 radial crest gates.

Providing irrigational water for about 800 square kilometers or 310 square miles in Kurnool District and Cuddapah District, the Srisailam Dam is a prime source of water in the drought-prone region of Rayalaseema. Special permission is needed for the tourists to go on to the main dam. The Srisailam town is located 232 km south of Hyderabad.

The construction of Srisailam Dam had begun in the year 1960 across Krishna the construction of Srisailam Dam had begun in the year 1960 across Krishna River in a place called Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh. Initially it had started as a power project and the construction of the project had completed in the year 1981. By the year 1987 the dam had been made into a multipurpose project with a generating capacity of 770 MW. It is estimated that the dam waters an area equal to 4, 95,000 acres. The water of the dam has a spread of 238 miles. Due to the right branch of the canal the water flow to Kurnool dist and Cuddapah dist are forever assured.

Places of interest at close proximity of the Srisailam Dam include Bhramaramba Mallikarjunaswamy Temple on the hill range of Nallamala Forest, Sikhareswara Swamy Temple and Sri Ganapathi temple. The nearest railway station is Nandyal on Guntur-Hubli broad gauge line, which lies about 158 km from the Srisailam Dam.