Pranhita River along the Telangana-Maharashtra border
The Pranhita begins at the confluence of two extensive rivers – the Wardha (catchment area: 46,237 km²) and the Wainganga (catchment area: 49,677 km²). This junction lies on the border between the states of Maharashtra and Telangana near Kouthala (near Sirpur Kagaznagar). Right at the onset, the river enjoys a wide river bed.
Pranhita is the largest tributary of the Godavari River, covering about 34% of its drainage basin, conveying the combined waters of the Penganga River, Wardha River and Wainganga River. By virtue of its extensive network of tributaries, the river drains all of the Vidharba region as well as the southern slopes of the Satpura Ranges.
Geography & Course
Origin
Thumbidihatti, Kouthala Mandal, Asifabad – at the confluence of the Wardha and Wainganga rivers near the border of Maharashtra and Telangana.
Outflow
Empties into the Godavari River near Kaleshwaram at an elevation of 170 feet.
The river follows a short course of 113 km, strictly adhering to the boundary between Gadchiroli district in Maharashtra and Adilabad district in Telangana. The direction of flow is southward, unlike most rivers of the Deccan Plateau. Along its course, the river is flanked by thick forests and harbors a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna.
States: Maharashtra, Telangana
Districts: Komoram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Jayashankar Bhupalpally
Entire Pranhita River acts as border between Telangana and Maharashtra.
Major Irrigation Projects
The terrain and thick forest cover in the adjoining areas of Maharashtra does not allow feasible tapping of water from the two tributaries in its territory. However, the river is central to two major irrigation projects that have transformed Telangana's water landscape.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Pranahita Project
The project was originally conceptualised as the Dr B.R. Ambedkar Pranahita-Chevella Sujala Sravanthi project. In accordance with the Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) report of October 1975, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh had agreed to share the river's waters for some projects at the appropriate time, one of which was the Pranahita-Chevella project.
Later, that project was divided into two parts: Dr B.R. Ambedkar Pranahita Project and Kaleshwaram Project. Two reasons were provided for this:
- It is assumed that the availability of Godavari water is better at Medigadda.
- Maharashtra raised objections to Tummidihatti as it believed that large swathes of its own area would get submerged.
Objective: To divert 20 TMC of water by constructing a barrage across the Pranhita near the confluence of Wainganga and Wardha rivers at Tummidihetti, Koutala Mandal, Adilabad District for irrigating an ayacut of 2,00,000 acres in East Adilabad district against the original proposed 56,500 acres.
Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project
The Kaleshwaram project is a multi-purpose irrigation project on the Godavari River, with three barrages at Medigadda (near Kaleshwaram), Annaram, and Sundilla between Medigadda and Sripada Yellampally Project, and reservoirs at another 18 places.
- The three barrages would have a storage capacity of over 28 TMC together.
- The reservoirs would have another 157 TMC.
- The project requires 4,500 MW power for lifting water in different stages, including 113 meters till Yellampally reservoir.
Irrigation & Water Supply: The project is expected to be a blessing for the people of Telangana, spread over in 13 districts through canals, tunnels, lift systems, reservoirs, and a distributory network for irrigating an ayacut of 18,25,700 acres against the original proposed 16,40,000 acres.
Further, it is proposed to stabilize the existing ayacut in other major projects (SRSP Stage-I, SRSP Stage-II, Flood Flow Canal, Singur & Nizamsagar) to an extent of 18,82,970 acres.
Drinking & Industrial Water:
- 30 TMC for twin cities (Hyderabad & Secunderabad)
- 10 TMC for enroute villages
- 16 TMC for industrial use
After careful planning, the proposed capacity of reservoirs is increased from 11.43 TMC to 147.71 TMC by enhancing the capacities of existing reservoirs and proposing new reservoirs to match the demand and supply. It has been proposed to divide the work into 28 packages in six links, including five packages for the first three barrages.
Legacy – A River That Shapes Lives
The Pranhita River, though short in length, is mighty in its significance. As the largest tributary of the Godavari, it drains a vast basin that sustains millions of people across Maharashtra and Telangana. Its waters, harnessed through the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Pranahita Project and the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project, have become the backbone of irrigation, drinking water supply, and industrial growth in the region.
The river's course along the dense forests of the Deccan plateau is not only a geographical marvel but also a lifeline for the people and the rich biodiversity that thrives along its banks. The Pranhita is a testament to the vision of water management and interstate cooperation, turning a seasonal river into a perennial source of hope and prosperity.
- Origin: Confluence of Wardha and Wainganga rivers at Thumbidihatti, Kouthala Mandal, Asifabad.
- Length: 113 km (70 mi)
- Catchment: 1,09,078 km² (7th largest in India)
- Outflow: Joins Godavari near Kaleshwaram.
- States: Maharashtra (Gadchiroli) and Telangana (Adilabad / Komoram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Jayashankar Bhupalpally).
- Largest Tributary: of Godavari, covering 34% of its basin.
- Major Projects: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Pranahita Project (20 TMC, 2,00,000 acres) and Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (18,25,700 acres, 30 TMC drinking water for Hyderabad, 16 TMC industrial water).
- Unique Feature: The entire river acts as the border between Maharashtra and Telangana.
- Ecological Significance: Flows through thick forests, rich biodiversity.
- Basin Area: Larger than Narmada and Cauvery basins.
- Wikipedia – Pranhita River
- Wikipedia – Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project
- Government of Telangana – Irrigation & CAD Department
- Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (GWDT) – Reports and agreements
The Pranhita – a short river with a giant heart, sustaining millions and shaping the destiny of Telangana and Maharashtra.