Mancherial District

Overview: Mancherial is previously called as "GARMILLA". Mancherial is known for its commercial activity and coal belt. The newly-carved district is situated on the north bank of the Godavari River. The Godavari separates Mancherial and Jagityal district. The rivers are described as the lifelines of the district.
2
Revenue Divisions
18
Mandals
8.07L
Population
4,056
Area (km²)
64%
Literacy
Mancherial District, Telangana

Mancherial District, Telangana

Mancherial is previously called as "GARMILLA". Mancherial is known for its commercial activity and coal belt, the newly-carved district situated in the north bank of the Godavari.

The Godavari separates Mancherial and Jagityal district. The rivers are described as the lifelines of the district. The Yellampalli reservoir quenches the thirst of Mancherial, Luxettipet and Dandepalli mandals besides meeting the irrigation needs.

The quarry at Gadpu, Gandhari Garden at Mandamarri, twin streams at Bhimaram, the Godavari river flowing towards north and a series of seven tanks built by the erstwhile Nizam are some of the tourist attractions that lend beauty to the district's landscape.

Natural Resources

Minerals

  • Coal – Singareni Collieries
  • Limestone

Forests & Rivers

  • Jannaram Forest
  • Godavari River
  • Pranhita River

Irrigation Projects

Yellampally Irrigation

Yellampally reservoir quenches the thirst of Mancherial, Luxettipet and Dandepalli mandals besides meeting irrigation needs.

Gudem Lift Irrigation

A major lift irrigation project providing water to agricultural areas in the district.

Kadem Dam

Kadem Dam is a significant irrigation project in the region.

Industries

Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL)

The district is home to the largest coal mining operations in Telangana. Major coal mines include:

  • Mancherial Coal Mines
  • Jaipur Power Plant – Thermal power generation
Mancherial Cement Company

A major cement manufacturing unit contributing to the district's industrial growth.

Transportation

Road

Mancherial is well connected by road from various major parts of India like Adilabad, Karimnagar, Warangal, Nizamabad, Hyderabad, Guntur, Vijayawada, Nagpur, Shirdi.

NH 563 NH 63 SH 1

Rail

Mancherial railway station is located on one of the biggest railway lines in India (New Delhi-Chennai route). It is well connected by rail from various metro cities in India.

Air

Nearest Airport to Mancherial is Hyderabad International Airport (Rajiv Gandhi International Airport) – 250 km by road, 3 hours journey by train.

There is also a proposal to construct a new airport at Basanth Nagar (Ramagundam), which is 20-30 km from Mancherial. Once operational, it could be the nearest airport.

Tourism

Natural Attractions

Temples & Religious Sites

  • CSI Church at Modala (Luxettipet)
  • Amba Agasteswara Temple (Chennur)
  • Lord Jagannath Temple (Chennur)
  • Satyanarayana Temple at Gudem (Dandepalli mandal)
  • Ayyappa Swamy Temple
  • Saibaba Temple at Gudemgutta

Notable People

Dulam Satyanarayana – From Mancherial to Portugal

At the age of five years, he lost his father and from then on, the job of bringing him up was left to his mother, who sold and still sells tea at the railway station in Mancherial.

In 2016, his film "Welcome to Telangana", promoting film locations in the State, was awarded the Best Tourism Film at the ART & AMP TUR International Film Festival in Portugal.

He spent four years after Intermediate preparing unsuccessfully to get into IIT. He then moved to Chennai and studied engineering at Anna University. He bunked college watching DVDs and must have watched over 1,000 movies over two years.

In 2008, he made a short film on Moushuni, a tiny island in the Sunderbans. In 2010, he made a documentary on fluorosis in Nalgonda district, which led to the Government taking up a protected water supply scheme for 25 villages.

The United States Department of State offered him a scholarship in 2011 to study at the Scottsdale School of Film and Theatre at Arizona. He made about a dozen short films before being spotted by the Telangana government and asked to make short films on flagship programmes like 'Haritha Haaram' and 'Mission Bhageeratha'.

Administrative Divisions

The district comprises 2 revenue divisions and 18 mandals. Mancherial is the headquarters of the district.

Mancherial Revenue Division – 11 Mandals

Chennur Jaipur Bheemaram (new) Kotapally Luxettipet Mancherial Naspur (new) Hajipur (new) Mandamarri Dandepally Jannaram

Bellampally Revenue Division – 7 Mandals

Kasipet Bellampally Vemanpally Nennel Tandur Bheemini Kannepally (new)

Legacy – The Coal Heartland of Telangana

Mancherial district stands as the coal heartland of Telangana, powering the state's industrial growth. From the vast coal reserves of Singareni Collieries to the lifeline of the Godavari and Pranhita rivers, the district is a land of immense natural wealth.

The Yellampalli reservoir, the historic tanks built by the Nizams, and the scenic waterfalls and wildlife sanctuaries make Mancherial a district of diverse attractions. The story of Dulam Satyanarayana, from a tea-seller's son in Mancherial to an internationally acclaimed filmmaker, is a testament to the spirit and resilience of the people of this region.

Mancherial is not just a district — it is the energy powerhouse of Telangana, a land of rivers, and a story of determination and glory.

Key Takeaways:
  • Headquarters: Mancherial
  • Former Name: Garmilla
  • Formation: October 11, 2016
  • Rivers: Godavari, Pranhita
  • Natural Resources: Coal, Limestone, Jannaram Forest
  • Major Irrigation: Yellampally Reservoir, Gudem Lift Irrigation, Kadem Dam
  • Major Industries: Singareni Collieries (SCCL), Jaipur Power Plant, Mancherial Cement Company
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries: Kawal Tiger Sanctuary, Shivaram Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Waterfalls: Gundala, Manchukondalu
  • Famous Temple: Amba Agasteswara Temple (Chennur)
  • Notable Person: Dulam Satyanarayana – Award-winning filmmaker (Best Tourism Film, Portugal)
  • Transport: NH 63, NH 563, SH 1; Mancherial Railway Station (Delhi-Chennai route); Proposed Basanth Nagar Airport
  • Revenue Divisions: Mancherial (11 mandals), Bellampally (7 mandals)
  • Total Mandals: 18
  • Collector: Sri R.V. Karnan, IAS
  • MLAs: Diwakar Rao Nadipelli, Durgam Chinnaiah, Ajmeera Rekha
Sources & Further Reading

Mancherial – where the coal powers the state, the rivers sustain life, and dreams take flight from a railway station to the world stage.