The J. Chokka Rao Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme is a multi-stage lift irrigation project on the Godavari River in Telangana, India. It is the second largest lift irrigation scheme in Asia, after the Kaleshwaram project. 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 originally conceived in 2001 and launched in 2004–05. It aims to provide irrigation, drinking water, and industrial water supply across 10–12 districts of Telangana, covering approximately 6 lakh acres of agricultural land.
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 to a height of 540 metres – a total lift of 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. The project was launched in 2004–05 by 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 largest multi-stage lift irrigation project, after Kaleshwaram.
- Water Source: Godavari River at Gangaram village, Eturnagaram mandal, Mulugu district.
- Water Capacity: 38.16 TMC (39.16 TMC in some estimates) lifted from Godavari every year.
- Pumping Duration: Water can be pumped from the river for 170 days a year.
- Total Lift: 469 metres – from 71 m elevation to 540 m elevation.
- Maximum Lift: 510 metres at certain points.
- Irrigation: Designed to irrigate 5.57–6 lakh acres of land.
- Infrastructure: 3 phases, 22 reservoirs, 10 pump houses (Phase III), 49.06 km underground tunnel.
- Power Requirement: 484–499 MW power and 1.4 billion KWh of electrical energy annually.
- Inter-basin Transfer: Feeds Godavari water to the Krishna River basin in Warangal and Nalgonda districts.
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: Under construction across the Godavari at Thupakulagudem with FRL at 85 m MSL, designed to ensure year-round water availability to the pump house.
- Minimum Water Level Required: 73 m MSL in the river for pumping.
Phase-wise Infrastructure
- Phase I: 3 reservoirs and 4 pump houses constructed; irrigation provided to 1.24 lakh acres.
- Phase II: 9 reservoirs and 7 pump houses constructed; water provided to 1.93 lakh acres.
- Phase III: 10 pump houses planned to irrigate 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.
- Discharge Capacity: Each vertical Francis-type pump discharges 16.64 cumecs (584 cusecs), enabling a total discharge of 49.92 cumecs (1,752 cusecs).
- Total Pumps: 10 pumps in the Devadula system.
Tunnels & Reservoirs
- Underground Tunnel: 49.06 km long tunnel (Phase-III Package-III) – a crucial infrastructure component.
- Reservoirs: 22 reservoirs linked to the project.
- Key Reservoirs: Ramappa Lake (balancing reservoir), Dharmasagar Reservoir, Bommakur, Tapaspally, Gandiramaram, Ashwaraopally.
Water Allocation – How 38.16 TMC is Distributed
The total water of 38.16 TMC is allocated across various sectors to benefit the people of Telangana:
- Irrigation: Primary allocation for irrigating 5.57–6 lakh acres across 10–12 districts.
- 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 to the Krishna River basin in Warangal and Nalgonda districts.
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: Project launched by the then Congress government at an estimated cost of ₹6,016 crore.
- Phase I: 3 reservoirs and 4 pump houses constructed; 1.24 lakh acres brought under irrigation.
- Phase II: 9 reservoirs and 7 pump houses constructed; 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 pumping station inaugurated at Devannapet.
- 2025–26: Project completion delayed to mid-2027 due to technical and financial challenges.
- July 2026: Government releases ₹194 crore to expedite works; 7 of 10 pumps operational.
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 is now expected by mid-2027.
- Cost Escalation: Project cost has skyrocketed from ₹6,016 crore to ₹17,500 crore (2025 estimate).
- Unfinished Components: 49.06 km underground tunnel and some pump houses remain incomplete.
- Land Acquisition: 2,956 acres still pending out of 33,224 acres required.
- Technical Issues: Phase-III Package-III tunnel has faced leakage issues.
- Funding Gaps: Over ₹100 crore still due for land acquisition and pending bills.
- Progress: Over 91% of works completed as of 2025, but remaining 9% has been sluggish.
Despite these challenges, the Telangana government has prioritised the project, with ministers assuring full funding and expedited completion. As of July 2026, 7 of 10 pumps are operational, and ₹194 crore has been released to clear pending bills.
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) to a height of 540 metres. The project spans 10–12 districts of Telangana. 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 pump houses, 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
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 5.57–6 lakh acres across 10–12 districts. The major irrigation beneficiaries are:
- Warangal – Major beneficiary; nearly 92% of ayacut in erstwhile Warangal district
- 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 ayacut
- Yadadri-Bhongir – Covered under the project
- Nalgonda – Receives water via inter-basin transfer
- Medak – Part of the command area
The project also supplies drinking water to Warangal city, Jangaon Municipality, and several villages across these districts.
Note: As of 2026, the project is not yet fully operational. While Phase I and II are functional, Phase III is nearing completion. Full operationalisation is expected by mid-2027. Once complete, the project will unlock its full irrigation potential of 6 lakh acres.
Visitor Information
Address & Access
J. Chokka Rao Devadula Lift Irrigation Scheme
Gangaram, Eturnagaram Mandal, Mulugu District,
Telangana, India
Distance:
≈220 km from Hyderabad (4.5 hours by road)
≈50 km from Warangal
Enquiries
District Administration: Mulugu District Website
Free entry; no ticket required
Timings & Best Season
Open: Daily, sunrise to sunset. Public access is generally allowed on the bund roads.
Best season: October – February (pleasant weather).
Monsoon (Jul–Sep): The project is most spectacular during the monsoon when water is being lifted.
Time needed: 2–3 hours to appreciate the engineering marvel.
Accessibility
The project site is accessible by road. The intake point at Gangaram and the pump houses are the main attractions. Some areas may have restricted access for security reasons.
How to Reach
By Air: Nearest airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad, located 220 km away.
By Train: Warangal and Kazipet are major railway stations on the Hyderabad-Delhi and Chennai-Kolkata routes. From Warangal, the project site is about 50 km away.
By Road: Mulugu district is well connected by road. Direct buses connect Hyderabad to Mulugu and Warangal at regular intervals.
Local transport: From Warangal or Mulugu town, hire a taxi or auto to reach the Gangaram intake point and pump houses.
Suggested 1‑Day Itinerary (Hyderabad → Devadula → Warangal)
- 6:00 AM: Depart from Hyderabad.
- 10:30 AM: Arrive at Gangaram, Mulugu district. Visit the intake point on the Godavari River.
- 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM: Explore the pump houses at Devannapet and the Sammakka Barrage site.
- 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM: Lunch (carry packed food – limited eateries).
- 1:30 PM – 3:30 PM: Drive to Warangal (≈50 km) 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 (≈3 hours).
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 marvel of modern engineering and Asia's second largest lift irrigation project. The best time to visit is during the monsoon (July–September) when the Godavari is in full flow and the pumps are actively lifting water. The intake point at Gangaram and the Devannapet Pump House offer spectacular views of the river and the massive infrastructure. For photography, early morning and late afternoon light are best. The site is not crowded like tourist spots, offering a peaceful experience for those interested in engineering and infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is there an entry fee?
A: No. Entry is free.
Q: What is the best time to visit?
A: October–February for pleasant weather; July–September to see the project in full operation.
Q: How long does it take to see the project?
A: About 2–3 hours to explore the intake point and main pump houses.
Q: Is public transport available to the site?
A: Limited. Hiring a taxi from Warangal is the most convenient method.
Q: Can I visit the underground tunnels?
A: Access to technical areas like tunnels is restricted for safety reasons.
Q: Are there food facilities nearby?
A: Very limited. It is recommended to carry food and water from Warangal or Mulugu.