Nagarkurnool District

Last updated: June 22, 2026

Telangana · Headquarters: Nagarkurnool · Formed 11 October 2016

Area 6,545 km² · Population 893,308 · Literacy 53.68% · 20 Mandals · TG-31

Overview: Nagarkurnool district is one of the 33 districts in the state of Telangana. It was carved out of Mahabubnagar district and officially made a district on 11 October 2016. The district headquarters is Nagarkurnool town, located on the banks of the Krishna River. The district is known for its rich history, dense Nallamalla forests, and the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, which is the largest tiger reserve in India.

6,545

Area (km²)

8.93

Population (Lakhs)

53.68

Literacy (%)

Mandals

Nagarkurnool District – Gateway to Nallamalla Forest

Nagarkurnool is located on the banks of the Krishna River and is famous for its ghats, temples, and spiritual atmosphere. Historically, Nagarkurnool was a separate district from 1794 to 1904. After a railway line was built to Mahabubnagar for easier transportation, the district headquarters was moved, and Nagarkurnool remained a part of Mahabubnagar until 2016, when it was re-established as a full district.

Nagarkurnool town serves as the district headquarters with a population of approximately 42,000. Kalwakurthy is the second largest town in the district with a population of 66,388. The district is divided into three revenue divisions: Nagarkurnool, Kalwakurthy, and Achampet. It has 20 mandals, 362 revenue villages, and about 85,000 hectares of forest area.

Key Facts

Headquarters

Nagarkurnool

Revenue Divisions

Achampet, Kalwakurthy, Nagarkurnool (3 divisions)

Mandals

20 mandals

Highways

NH 167, NH 765, SH 5, SH 18, SH 20, SH 21

Rivers

Krishna, Dindi

Vehicle Registration

TG-31 (formerly TS-31; changed in 2024)[reference:0][reference:1]

Tourism and Attractions

The district is home to highly popular and exotic eco-tourism destinations. From the Nallamalla forest to the Krishna river backwaters, Nagarkurnool offers a blend of adventure, spirituality, and nature.

Eco-Tourism and Wildlife

Amrabad Tiger Reserve – part of the largest tiger reserve in India.
Farahabad View Point – scenic view in the Nallamala hills.
Mallela Theertham Waterfall – a stunning waterfall in the forest.
Nallamalla Forest – dense forests with rich biodiversity.
Somasila Boating – boat trips on the Krishna river to Srisailam.
Sapthanadula Sangamam – confluence of seven rivers in Somasila.

Religious Tourism

Umamaheshwara Swamy Temple – in the Nallamalla forest.
Madhava Swamy Temple – at Kollapur.
Jatprole Temples – ancient temple complex.
Maddimadugu Sri Pabbathi Anjaneya Swami Temple
Vattem Venkateshwara Swamy Temple
Rangapur Hazrath Niranjan Shah Wali Dargah
Saleshwaram Jatara and Waterfalls

Irrigation Projects

The district is a hub for several major and lift irrigation projects that provide water for agriculture and drinking purposes to the drought-prone areas of the region.

Completed

Completed Priyadarshini Jurala Major Irrigation Project

Located near Revulapally village, Dharur Mandal, Jogulamba Gadwal Dist. Irrigates an ayacut of 102,200 acres (41,360 Ha.) under Right Main Canal (Dharur, Gadwal, Itikyala, Manopad mandals) and Left Main Canal (Atmakur, Kotakota, Pebbair, Sriramgapur, Weepangandla in Wanaparthy district and Pentlavelli, Pangal in Nagarkurnool district).

Under Construction

Under Construction Palamuru Rangareddy Lift Irrigation Project

A major multi-stage lift scheme drawing water from the Srisailam reservoir foreshore. Designed to irrigate about 12.3 lakh acres across drought-prone areas in Mahabubnagar, Ranga Reddy, and Nalgonda districts. While initial phase pumping began in late 2023, extensive main canal works, distributary networks, and leftover land acquisition are currently fast-tracked with revised estimates climbing up to ₹65,000–80,000 crore, targeting full operational status by late 2027/2028.

Under Construction Alimineti Madhava Reddy Srisailam Left Bank Canal Project (AMRP)

Started in 1983, located in Peddavoora (M), Nalgonda District. Aims to irrigate 3 lakh acres and supply drinking water to fluoride-affected villages en route. Work was stalled after a fatal tunnel collapse in February 2025 but is set to resume with advanced tunnelling methods, targeting completion by December 2026.

Under Construction Kalwakurthy LIS (Mahatma Gandhi LIS) Major Irrigation Project

Located in Regumanigadda of Yellur (V), Kollapur (M). Proposed to irrigate 3.40 lakh acres and provide drinking water to 303 villages in Kollapur, Nagarkurnool, Achampet, Jadcherla, and Kalwakurthy constituencies (19 mandals). Water lifting typically begins in late July or early August each year for the Kharif crop.

Under Construction Rajiv Bhima LIS Major Irrigation Project

Located at the foreshore of Priyadarshini Jurala (Lift-I) and Ramanpad Reservoir (Lift-II) in Wanaparthy District. Aims to irrigate 207,022 acres in Makthal (Mahabubnagar), Atmakur, Wanaparthy (Wanaparthy), and Kollapur Mandal in Nagarkurnool District. Included under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY).

Revenue Divisions and Mandals

The district is organized into three revenue divisions, comprising a total of 20 mandals.

Nagarkurnool Revenue Division

9 Mandals:

Bijinapally
Nagarkurnool
Peddakothapally
Telkapally
Thimmajipet
Tadoor
Kollapur
Pentlavelli
Kodair

Kalwakurthy Revenue Division

5 Mandals:

Kalwakurthy
Urkonda
Veldanda
Vangoor
Charakonda

Achampet Revenue Division

6 Mandals:

Achampet
Amrabad
Padara
Balmoor
Lingal
Uppununthalanthala

Industries and Economy

Cotton Industry

There is a well-established cotton industry in Kalwakurthy, providing employment to many residents.

Forest Produce

With 85,000 hectares of forest area, the district also supports minor forest produce-based livelihoods.

Location

Nagarkurnool district is located in the southern part of Telangana, bordered by the Krishna River and the Nallamalla hills. It is well-connected by road and serves as a gateway to the Srisailam sanctuary.

Nagarkurnool town – district headquarters.

Legacy – A District Reborn

Nagarkurnool's re-establishment as a district in 2016 restored its historical administrative status, which had been lost over a century ago. Today, the district balances its rich cultural and ecological heritage with ambitious irrigation and development projects. From the ancient temples of Kollapur to the tiger corridors of Amrabad, Nagarkurnool offers a unique and authentic Telangana experience.

        Key Takeaways:
        Formation: 11 October 2016, carved out of Mahabubnagar.
Headquarters: Nagarkurnool town.
Area: 6,545 km² with 85,000 hectares of forest.
Divisions: 3 revenue divisions – Achampet, Kalwakurthy, Nagarkurnool.
Mandals: 20 mandals and 362 revenue villages.
Major Attractions: Amrabad Tiger Reserve, Mallela Theertham, Somasila, Farahabad.
Irrigation: Host to Jurala, AMRP, Kalwakurthy LIS, Rajiv Bhima, and Palamuru projects.
Vehicle Registration: TG-31 (changed from TS-31 in 2024).

    

Sources and Further Reading

Glorious India – Nagarkurnool
Government of Telangana – District Administration Records.
Deccan Chronicle – TG replaces TS on vehicle number plates (2024)[reference:2].

Nagarkurnool district is a testament to Telangana's deep cultural roots and its forward-looking vision for water security and ecological conservation.