Sri Ram Sagar Project · North Telangana · Inter‑River Basin Transfer
Kakatiya Canal – a lifeline for North Telangana
The Kakatiya Canal is about 284 km long with a flow capacity of 9,700 cusecs[reference:3]. It passes through Nizamabad, Jagtial, Karimnagar, Warangal, Hanumakonda, Mahabubabad, and Suryapet districts. The canal is an inter‑river basin transfer link, feeding Godavari River water to the Krishna River basin[reference:4].
Four units of 9 MW each (totalling 36 MW) have been set up to harness the water head before feeding water into the canal[reference:5]. A balancing reservoir is located at Km 146.00 of the Kakatiya Canal on the Manair River near Karimnagar – this is the Lower Manair Dam (LMD)[reference:6].
Route and Districts Covered
The canal passes through the following districts and locations:
Nizamabad
- Mendora
- Velkatoor
- Venchariyal
- Yergatla
Jagtial
- Dabba
- Ibrahimpatnam
- Regunta
- Metpalli
- Vellulla
- Masaipeta
- Peddapur
- Ramarao Palle
- Nagulpet
- Vallampally
- Mediaplli
- Thatipally
- Ambaripet
- Anthargam
- Manala
- Lambadipalli
- Namapur
Karimnagar
- Raghampeta
- Choppadandi
- Konerupalli
- Malkapur
- Lower Manair Dam
- Yadavulapalli
- Alugunur
- Manakondur
- Devampally
- Gattu Duddenapally
- Narsingapuram
- Kareempet
- Singapuram
- Huzurabad
Mulugu
- Suraram
- Laknavaram
- Chinthagattu
Hanumakonda
- Paidipally
Warangal Rural
- Mogilicherla
- Geesugonda
- Sangem
- Konkapaka
- Yellanda
- Wardannapet
- Rayaparthy
- Muripirala Balancing Reservoir
- Venkateshwarapally
Mahabubabad
- Chinnavangara
- Pedda Vangara
- Narsingapuram Reservoir (Bayyana Vaagu)
- Kodakandla
Suryapet
- Benefited by inflow to Musi River (Stage II extension)[reference:7]
SRSP Stage II and Extension
SRSP Stage II comprises the extension of the Kakatiya Main Canal from Km 284.00 to 346.00 (up to the Musi River, which joins the Krishna River) near Anantharam, Mahabubabad district[reference:8].
Water is released under a rotational "warabandi" system. Zone I (Km 146 to 284) receives water for seven days, while Zone II (Km 284 to 340, up to Pragatinagar in Suryapet district) receives water for eight days[reference:9]. Water first reaches the Mylaram Balancing Reservoir, then flows into the Bayyanna Vagu Balancing Reservoir[reference:10].
The Kaleshwaram lift irrigation project lifts water to Sripada Sagar at Yellampalli and then conveys it to the Mid‑Manair Reservoir[reference:11]. Water from the Lower Manair Dam is released into the Kakatiya canal to cater to agricultural needs[reference:12].
Lower Manair Dam – Balancing Reservoir
The Lower Manair Dam (LMD) is located at Km 146 of the Kakatiya Canal on the Manair River, a tributary of the Godavari, near Karimnagar[reference:13]. It serves as a balancing reservoir for the SRSP, capturing runoff from the Manair River's free catchment and preventing spillage of monsoon floodwaters at the Sriram Sagar Reservoir[reference:14].
- Location: Km 146 of Kakatiya Canal, Karimnagar district[reference:15].
- Full Capacity: 24 TMC[reference:16].
- Water Release (Rabi 2025): About 4,000 cusecs daily, collecting 11 TMC from LMD and 5 TMC through SRSP[reference:17].
- Ayacut: About 6,97,708 acres irrigated until March 31[reference:18].
- Storage (Sept 2025): Reached 22 TMC due to rains and Kaleshwaram inflows[reference:19].
Hydro Power Generation
Four units of 9 MW each have been set up to generate 36 MW of hydroelectric power, harnessing the water head before feeding water into the canal[reference:20].
Repair and Maintenance
The canal requires regular maintenance to ensure uninterrupted water supply. In recent years, repair works have been undertaken on various sections of the canal.
Tenders have been floated for repairs to the SRSP Kakatiya Main Canal Cross Regulator at Km 233.825 near Paidipally Village, Warangal district[reference:21]. Other repair works include restoration of breached portions and damaged bunds across the canal network[reference:22].
In March 2025, a bund of a 50‑year‑old project breached for the third time when Kakatiya canal water was released near Keshavapatnam, highlighting the need for ongoing maintenance[reference:23].
Location
The Kakatiya Canal originates from the Sriram Sagar Reservoir and traverses North Telangana, ending at the Lower Manair Dam. Below is an approximate map showing the canal's route.
Sriram Sagar Reservoir – origin of the Kakatiya Canal.
Legacy – A Lifeline for North Telangana
The Kakatiya Canal is a cornerstone of agricultural prosperity in North Telangana. As part of the Sri Ram Sagar Project, it has transformed the region's irrigation landscape, enabling farmers to cultivate multiple crops throughout the year. The canal's extension under Stage II, along with the Kaleshwaram link, has further expanded the ayacut, bringing water to thousands of acres of farmland across seven districts.
- Name: SRSP Kakatiya Canal.
- Total Length: 284 km (extendable to 346 km under Stage II)[reference:24].
- Origin: Sriram Sagar Reservoir, Nizamabad.[reference:25]
- Terminus: Lower Manair Dam (Km 146) and Musi River (Stage II).
- Flow Capacity: 9,700 cusecs[reference:26].
- Hydro Power: 36 MW (4 units of 9 MW)[reference:27].
- Balancing Reservoir: Lower Manair Dam (LMD) at Km 146[reference:28].
- Districts Covered: Nizamabad, Jagtial, Karimnagar, Mulugu, Hanumakonda, Warangal Rural, Mahabubabad, Suryapet.
- Inter‑Basin Transfer: Feeds Godavari water to Krishna basin.[reference:29]
- Wikiwand – Kakatiya Canal
- Wikipedia – Kakatiya Canal
- Telangana Today – Water released from LMD into Kakatiya canal (Sept 2025)
- Deccan Chronicle – Water Released from Lower Manair Dam for Rabi Season (Jan 2025)
- Hyderabad News Hunt – Water release for SRSP Phase-II (Dec 2025)
- Telangana Today – Irrigation updates
The Kakatiya Canal stands as a testament to Telangana's commitment to water security and agricultural development, bringing the waters of the Godavari to the farmlands of North Telangana.