The J. Chokka Rao Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme is a multi-stage lift irrigation project on the Godavari River in Telangana, India. It is widely described as the second biggest lift irrigation scheme of its kind in Asia. The project draws water from the Godavari at Gangaram village in Mulugu district and is designed to irrigate drought-prone regions of Telangana.
Named after freedom fighter J. Chokka Rao from Karimnagar, the project was conceived in the early 2000s, with the foundation stone laid in 2001, and major works commencing in 2004–05. It aims to provide irrigation, drinking water, and other water-supply benefits across multiple districts of Telangana, with the original phase-wise proposed ayacut of about 5.57 lakh acres and the broader project scope documented at approximately 6.21 lakh acres.
An engineering marvel lifting water to new heights. The J. Chokka Rao Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme stands as one of Asia's most ambitious irrigation projects. Conceived to harness the Godavari River's waters, the project lifts water from an elevation of 71 metres toward a height of 540 metres – an overall elevation difference of approximately 469 metres – transforming the drought-prone regions of Telangana.
The foundation stone was laid in 2001 by then Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh, Nara Chandra Babu Naidu. Major project works commenced in 2004–05 under the then Congress government at an estimated cost of ₹6,016 crore. Over the years, the project was expanded into three phases, and the cost escalated to a revised estimate of ₹17,500 crore by 2025. The project spans across multiple districts and is divided into 3 phases for executional convenience.
Project Highlights – Asia's Second Largest Lift Irrigation System
The Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme is a monumental engineering achievement. Here are the key highlights:
- Rank: Asia's second biggest lift irrigation scheme of its kind, based on descriptions in project and industry documentation.
- Water Source: Godavari River at Gangaram village, Eturnagaram mandal, Mulugu district.
- Water Quantity: 38.16 TMC in the current project descriptions; official project documentation also records 38.18 TMC for the original 170-day design, while the overall allocation was subsequently enhanced to 60 TMC.
- Pumping Duration: The original project design provides for lifting water from the river for 170 days a year.
- Total Lift: Approximately 469 metres – from about 71 m elevation toward 540 m elevation.
- Maximum Lift: 510 metres at certain stages.
- Irrigation: The phase-wise proposed ayacut is approximately 5.57 lakh acres, while the broader official project scope is approximately 6.21 lakh acres.
- Infrastructure: 3 phases, 22 reservoirs, 10 pumping units in the Phase III system, and a 49.06 km underground tunnel.
- Power Requirement: Approximately 484 MW in the official project documentation; other project reports have cited figures approaching 499 MW, depending on the configuration considered.
- Inter-basin Transfer: Feeds Godavari water toward command areas associated with the Krishna River basin, including the Warangal and Nalgonda region.
Project Infrastructure – The Engineering Backbone
The project's infrastructure is a vast network designed to move water across significant distances and elevations. The key components include:
Water Source & Barrage
- Intake Point: Godavari River at Gangaram village, Eturnagaram mandal, Mulugu district.
- Sammakka Barrage: Located across the Godavari at Thupakulagudem, with FRL at approximately 85 m MSL, and associated with ensuring water availability for the Devadula pumping system.
- Minimum Water Level Required: Approximately 73 m MSL in the river for pumping.
Phase-wise Infrastructure
- Phase I: 3 reservoirs and 4 pump houses constructed; irrigation provided to approximately 1.24 lakh acres.
- Phase II: 9 reservoirs and 7 pump houses constructed; water provided to approximately 1.93 lakh acres.
- Phase III: 10 pumping units/pumps associated with the remaining system, planned to serve approximately 2.40 lakh acres.
Pumping Infrastructure
- Devannapet Pump House: Critical Phase III structure with a depth of 144.50 metres and outer diameter of 25.50 metres.
- Pumps: Equipped with three 31 MW synchronous motors operating at 11 KV and 1,740 Amps in the Devannapet installation.
- Discharge Capacity: Each vertical Francis-type pump is reported at approximately 16.64 cumecs (584 cusecs), enabling a total discharge of approximately 49.92 cumecs (1,752 cusecs) for the three motors.
- Total Pumps: The wider Devadula system has 10 pumping units/pumps associated with the Phase III operational arrangement.
Tunnels & Reservoirs
- Underground Tunnel: 49.06 km long tunnel (Phase-III Package-III) – a crucial infrastructure component.
- Reservoirs: 22 reservoirs are served under the wider project system.
- Key Reservoirs: Ramappa Lake (balancing reservoir), Dharmasagar Reservoir, Bommakur, Tapaspally, Gandiramaram, Ashwaraopally.
Water Allocation – How 38.16 TMC is Distributed
The original project quantity of about 38.16 TMC is allocated across various sectors to benefit the people of Telangana. The overall project allocation was subsequently enhanced to 60 TMC.
- Irrigation: Primary allocation for irrigating the project's proposed ayacut, with the original phase-wise figure of approximately 5.57 lakh acres and a broader official project scope of 6.21 lakh acres.
- Drinking Water – Warangal: 7.5 Mcft/day supplied to Warangal city under Phase III.
- Drinking Water – Jangaon: 0.40 Mcft/day supplied to Jangaon Municipality for 130 days.
- Phase III Allocation: 1 TMC routed through Ramappa Tank, in addition to 1 TMC already supplied to Dharmasagar through earlier phases.
The project is an inter-river basin transfer link, feeding Godavari water toward the Krishna River basin in the Warangal and Nalgonda region.
History & Timeline – From Conception to Present
The Devadula project has a long and complex history spanning over two decades:
- 2001: Foundation stone laid by then Chief Minister of united Andhra Pradesh, Nara Chandra Babu Naidu.
- 2003: Total work divided into three phases for executional convenience.
- 2004–05: Major project works commenced under the then Congress government at an estimated cost of ₹6,016 crore.
- Phase I: 3 reservoirs and 4 pump houses constructed; approximately 1.24 lakh acres brought under irrigation.
- Phase II: 9 reservoirs and 7 pump houses constructed; approximately 1.93 lakh acres brought under irrigation.
- Renaming: Project renamed to honour J. Chokka Rao, a freedom fighter from Karimnagar.
- 2024: Congress government prioritises project completion by December 2025.
- March 2025: Phase III motor/pump equipment at the Devannapet Pump House was commissioned/switched on to release irrigation water.
- 2025–26: Project completion was delayed because of technical, land-acquisition and financial challenges; the completion target subsequently moved beyond 2025.
- July 2026: Government released ₹146 crore to expedite pending works. During the July 13 review, seven pumps were reported operational, while the government subsequently directed round-the-clock operation of the pumping units; nine units were announced for round-the-clock operation on July 21.
Challenges & Current Status
Despite its scale and ambition, the Devadula project has faced significant challenges, particularly regarding delays and cost overruns:
- Completion Delays: Originally planned for December 2025, full operationalisation was subsequently pushed beyond 2025. The latest reported government target is December 2027.
- Cost Escalation: Project cost has risen from ₹6,016 crore to approximately ₹17,500 crore in the 2025 estimate.
- Unfinished Components: The 49.06 km underground tunnel and some associated project works have remained subject to completion, repairs or commissioning.
- Land Acquisition: In 2025, 2,956 acres were reported pending out of 33,224 acres required.
- Technical Issues: Phase-III Package-III tunnel has faced leakage issues requiring remedial work.
- Funding Gaps: Funding has remained an issue; in July 2026, ₹194 crore in pending bills was reported while additional funds were being released.
- Progress: Over 91% of works were reported completed in 2025, but the remaining works continued to face delays.
Despite these challenges, the Telangana government has prioritised the project, with ministers assuring funding and expedited completion. In July 2026, seven pumps were reported operational during one review, while the government subsequently directed operation of the pumping units at maximum capacity whenever adequate Godavari flows were available. The latest reported completion target is December 2027.
Project Phases, Districts Covered & Irrigation Benefits
The Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme is designed in three phases, lifting water from the Godavari River at Gangaram (approx. 71 m elevation) toward a height of 540 metres. The project has been associated with benefits across 10–12 districts in later project and government descriptions, while the official project document identifies eight principal beneficiary districts for the documented 6.21-lakh-acre scope. Below is a phase-by-phase breakdown.
Phase I
Infrastructure: 3 reservoirs, 4 pump houses
Irrigation: 1.24 lakh acres brought under irrigation
Districts Covered: Warangal, Hanamkonda and surrounding areas
Phase II
Infrastructure: 9 reservoirs, 7 pump houses
Irrigation: 1.93 lakh acres brought under irrigation
Districts Covered: Warangal, Hanamkonda, Karimnagar and surrounding areas
Phase III
Infrastructure: 10 pumping units, 49.06 km underground tunnel, Devannapet Pump House (144.50 m depth)
Irrigation: 2.40 lakh acres planned
Key Features: 3 × 31 MW motors, 49.92 cumecs discharge capacity at the Devannapet installation
Drinking Water: 7.5 Mcft/day to Warangal city, 0.40 Mcft/day to Jangaon Municipality
Districts Covered: Warangal, Hanamkonda, Karimnagar, Jayashankar-Bhupalpally, Mulugu, Jangaon, Suryapet, Yadadri-Bhongir
District-wise Irrigation Benefits
The project is designed to irrigate approximately 5.57–6.21 lakh acres, depending on whether the phase-wise proposed ayacut or the broader official project scope is being referenced. Later government reporting has also referred to the project in terms of approximately 5.6 lakh acres and wider benefits across up to 12 districts. The major irrigation beneficiaries are:
- Warangal – Major beneficiary; a large portion of the ayacut lies in the former Warangal region
- Hanamkonda – Large command area, including Dharmasagar Reservoir
- Karimnagar – Significant irrigation coverage
- Jayashankar Bhupalpally – Covered under the project
- Mulugu – The originating district
- Jangaon – Irrigation and drinking water supply
- Suryapet – Part of the documented command area
- Yadadri-Bhongir – Covered under the project
- Nalgonda – Receives water through the inter-basin transfer arrangement
- Medak – Mentioned in some broader project descriptions and earlier planning documents
The project also supplies drinking water to Warangal city, Jangaon Municipality, and other identified areas associated with the project.
Note: As of 2026, the project is not yet fully operational. Earlier phases are functional and Phase III is being commissioned in stages, while remaining works continue. The latest reported government target for completion is December 2027. Once complete, the project is intended to realise its full designed irrigation potential.
Visitor Information
Address & Access
J. Chokka Rao Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme
Gangaram, Eturnagaram Mandal, Mulugu District,
Telangana, India
Distance:
≈220 km from Hyderabad (approximately 4.5 hours by road, depending on route and traffic)
≈50 km from Warangal
Enquiries
District Administration: Mulugu District Website
There is no standard tourist entry ticket for the overall project; access to individual project facilities may be restricted.
Timings & Best Season
Open: There is no single published tourist opening schedule for the entire project. Public access depends on the individual location and operational/security restrictions.
Best season: October – February (pleasant weather).
Monsoon (Jul–Sep): The project can be particularly active during periods of strong Godavari flows and pumping operations.
Time needed: 2–3 hours may be sufficient for accessible locations, depending on travel and access conditions.
Accessibility
The project is spread across multiple locations and is accessible by road in the wider region. The intake point at Gangaram and pump houses are operational infrastructure, and some areas may have restricted access for safety and security reasons.
How to Reach
By Air: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, is the principal major airport for visitors travelling to the region.
By Train: Warangal and Kazipet are major railway stations on the Hyderabad-Delhi and Chennai-Kolkata routes. From Warangal, road transport is required to reach individual project locations.
By Road: Mulugu district is well connected by road. Road and bus services connect Hyderabad, Warangal and Mulugu; local transport is required for individual project locations.
Local transport: From Warangal or Mulugu town, hire a taxi or other suitable local transport to reach accessible project locations such as the Gangaram intake area and nearby facilities.
Suggested 1-Day Itinerary (Hyderabad → Devadula → Warangal)
- 6:00 AM: Depart from Hyderabad.
- 10:30 AM: Arrive at Gangaram, Mulugu district. Visit the intake area on the Godavari River, subject to access restrictions.
- 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: View accessible pump-house infrastructure at Devannapet and the Sammakka Barrage area, subject to local permissions and operational restrictions.
- 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch (carry packed food – limited eateries).
- 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Drive toward Warangal and visit the Thousand Pillar Temple or Warangal Fort.
- 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM: Explore Warangal Fort and the iconic Kakatiya Keerthi Thoranas.
- 5:30 PM: Return to Hyderabad, subject to traffic and road conditions.
Tip: If you have an extra day, combine with Ramappa Temple (UNESCO) and Laknavaram Lake.
Attractions Nearby
Where to Stay & Eat
Accommodation
- Warangal (≈50 km): Haritha Hotel (TSTDC), Hotel Ashoka, Hotel Ravi Teja, many budget options.
- Mulugu: Limited guest houses and lodges. Better to stay in Warangal.
- Hyderabad: Wide range of hotels if visiting from the capital.
Food & Tips
- Limited eateries near Devadula – carry your own food and water.
- Meals available in Mulugu town (≈20 km) and Warangal.
- Warangal has a wide range of restaurants and dhabas.
Essential Travel Tips
Pro tip: Devadula is a major feat of modern irrigation engineering and is widely described as Asia's second biggest lift irrigation scheme of its kind. The best time to view the system is during periods of strong Godavari flows and active pumping, subject to project operations and access restrictions. The intake area at Gangaram and accessible views around project infrastructure can provide an interesting experience for those interested in engineering and infrastructure. For photography, early morning and late afternoon light are best where photography is permitted. The site is not a conventional tourist attraction, so visitors should follow all instructions from project officials and local authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there an entry fee?
A: There is no standard tourist entry ticket for the overall irrigation project, although access to individual facilities may be restricted.
Q: What is the best time to visit?
A: October–February for pleasant weather; July–September can provide stronger river flows and active pumping when operating conditions permit.
Q: How long does it take to see the project?
A: About 2–3 hours may be sufficient for accessible intake and project areas, depending on travel and access restrictions.
Q: Is public transport available to the site?
A: Limited for individual project installations. Hiring a taxi from Warangal or Mulugu is generally more convenient.
Q: Can I visit the underground tunnels?
A: Access to technical areas like tunnels is restricted for safety and security reasons.
Q: Are there food facilities nearby?
A: Facilities are limited near remote project locations. It is recommended to carry food and water from Warangal or Mulugu.