Sripada Yellampalli Project

Sripada Yellampalli Project (SYP) is a major irrigation and water-supply project on the Godavari River at Yellampalli, in the Ramagundam–Anthergaon area of present-day Peddapalli District, near the Peddapalli–Mancherial district boundary of Telangana. The project is commonly described in project references as the fourth-largest project on the Godavari in Telangana and is named after the late legislator D. Sripada Rao. The barrage has a gross storage capacity of 20.175 TMC, with 62 spillway gates/blocks, and was completed in 2016. Its associated irrigation system was designed to provide 1,51,400 acres of new ayacut using 12 TMC under Sripada Yellampally Project Stage-II, Phase-I. The reservoir also supports water supply to NTPC Ramagundam and drinking-water systems including Hyderabad. Yellampalli also functions as an important intermediate and balancing reservoir within Telangana's interconnected Godavari irrigation network, including the Kaleshwaram system.

Foundation & Timeline: The foundation of the Sripada Yellampalli irrigation project was laid by then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy on 28 July 2004. The barrage was completed and opened in 2016, with the commonly cited opening date being 4 August 2016.

Project Development: The project has undergone several stages of planning and implementation, with irrigation canals and associated lift schemes continuing to develop after completion of the main barrage. Current government land-acquisition records continue to list works connected with Sripada Yellampally Project Stage-II, Phase-I and its canal network, indicating that parts of the associated irrigation system remain under implementation.

Purpose & Benefits: The project serves irrigation and water-supply purposes. It supplies water for the NTPC Ramagundam power project and supports drinking-water systems serving Ramagundam, Godavarikhani and Hyderabad. It should not be described as a hydroelectric power-generation project; the reference to NTPC concerns water supply to the thermal power project.

Kaleshwaram & Godavari Network: Yellampalli is an important intermediate and balancing reservoir in Telangana's interconnected Godavari irrigation network. Government records also document Kaleshwaram Link-II works involving lifting water from the foreshore of Sripada Yellampally Project toward the Mid Manair Reservoir. The project's role within the broader Godavari lift-irrigation network has therefore continued beyond the original barrage construction.

Public Description: Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has described Yellampalli as the "heart of the Godavari projects". This is an attributed political description rather than an official engineering designation.

Irrigation Network: The official Peddapalli district project description states that 1,51,400 acres of new ayacut were proposed through Distributary Canal Network Package Nos. I, II and III of Sripada Yellampally Project Stage-II, Phase-I in Karimnagar, Rajanna Siricilla and Jagtial districts, using 12 TMC of water. Current land-acquisition notifications show that associated Stage-II Phase-I and canal-network works continue in parts of Karimnagar district.

Important Clarification: The 1,51,400-acre figure is a design/proposed ayacut figure, not a claim that 1,51,400 acres are currently receiving direct irrigation from the barrage. The Peddapalli district irrigation department currently lists Sripada Yellampalli Project itself as having no direct ayacut within the district.

Lift Irrigation Schemes:

• Manthani Lift Irrigation Scheme: Earlier project documents provide figures of 7,841 acres of new ayacut and 7,000 acres of stabilization using 2 TMC. The scheme has undergone subsequent revisions and implementation stages.
• Kaddem (Gudem) Lift Irrigation Scheme: Associated with stabilization of irrigation in Mancherial district, with earlier project documentation providing a figure of about 30,000 acres using 3 TMC.
• NTPC Water-Supply Scheme: Developed to supply water from the Yellampalli system to the NTPC Ramagundam power project. Different project-stage documents cite allocations around 6–6.5 TMC; the article therefore uses the broader description of NTPC water supply rather than treating one historical allocation as a current guaranteed quantity.

Kaleshwaram Link: Sripada Yellampalli functions as an important intermediate reservoir within Telangana's interconnected Godavari lift-irrigation network. Government records for Kaleshwaram Link-II specifically refer to works for lifting water from the foreshore of Sripada Yellampally Project toward the Mid Manair Reservoir. The hydraulic configuration and operating arrangements can vary by project stage and water availability.

A Scenic Waterfront Setting: The Yellampalli Project and its Godavari waterfront have tourism potential, particularly around the barrage and reservoir landscape. In January 2026, the Mancherial district administration was reported to have prepared proposals to develop the Yellampalli project at Gudipet, Gandhari Khilla and Gudem Gutta temple as wedding destinations, with proposed infrastructure, hospitality and eco-friendly facilities.

Integrated Aqua Park & Fisheries Hub: A ₹100-crore Integrated Aqua Park is being established near the Yellampalli reservoir at Gudipeta in Hajipur mandal, Mancherial district. The project has been allotted about 85.10 acres and is primarily intended to promote fisheries development, processing, marketing and related activities under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). A tourism component with water-based attractions has also been proposed. It should therefore be described as an integrated fisheries and aquaculture project rather than simply as a recreational water park.

Tourism Development Plans: Tourism proposals associated with Yellampalli have included boating, water sports, paragliding, cottages and landscaped facilities. These are development proposals and should not be interpreted as facilities currently available to visitors. A January 2026 report also stated that the wider Yellampalli/Gandhari Khilla/Gudem area was receiving about 10,000 visitors per month.

Visitor Tips – What You Need to Know:

• Visit during the cooler months – October to March is generally more comfortable for outdoor sightseeing.
• Monsoon visits require caution – high inflows, changing water levels and barrage operations can affect access and safety.
• Carry water and snacks – visitor facilities around operational irrigation infrastructure may be limited.
• Photography: Photograph only from permitted areas and follow instructions around restricted infrastructure.
• Follow safety instructions – do not approach restricted sections, gates, canals or fast-moving water.
• Combine with nearby attractions – Gandhari Khilla, Gudem Gutta temple and Dhulikatta are possible additions depending on route and current access.
• Check local conditions – water levels, barrage operations and access may vary.
• Road conditions: Some approach roads may vary in condition, particularly during the monsoon; drive cautiously.
• No confirmed recreational water sports: Boating and water-sports facilities mentioned in tourism proposals should not be treated as currently operational attractions.

Pro Tip: Plan a visit around the barrage and Godavari waterfront and combine it with nearby historical or religious attractions where practical. Gandhari Khilla, Gudem Gutta temple and Dhulikatta can be considered depending on your route. For the best outdoor conditions, October to March is generally more comfortable, while monsoon visits can offer dramatic scenery but require greater attention to water levels, barrage operations and road conditions.

Why Visit Sripada Yellampalli Project? – A major barrage across the Godavari River with a 20.175 TMC gross storage capacity | Commonly described in project references as the fourth-largest project on the Godavari in Telangana | Important irrigation and water-supply infrastructure | Associated Stage-II system designed for 1,51,400 acres of new ayacut | Important intermediate and balancing reservoir in Telangana's interconnected Godavari irrigation network | Supplies water for the NTPC Ramagundam power project and drinking-water systems | Scenic Godavari waterfront with tourism-development proposals | Proposed wedding-destination development | Nearby Integrated Aqua Park project focused primarily on fisheries and aquaculture | Easy to combine with attractions in the Peddapalli and Mancherial region. Visitor access, water levels and operating conditions should be confirmed locally before travelling.

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