Irrigation profile of Vishakhapatnam

The District has a population of 42.88 lakhs (census 2011). The plains division is watered and drained by Sarada, Varaha and Thandava Rivers and rivulets Meghadrigedda and Gambheeramgedda.

Irrigation Circle, Visakhapatnam, is in charge of maintenance of Minor and Medium irrigation sources under Sarada, Varaha, Sarpa, Thandava and Gosthani Rivers in 31 Mandals expect agency area in Visakhapatnam District. The boundaries of this district are Bay of Bengal in the East, East Godavari district in the South, Orissa State in the West and North directions. The population of district is 42.88 Lakhs as per the 2011 Census.

Rivers

Sharada, Varaha, Thandava, Machkand, Champavathi and Gostnani. Geographic coordinates of district- Latitude -18° 7' N Longitude - 83° 25' N and Altitude-73m

Major Places

Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Bheemunipatnam and Narsipatnam. Forest occupies 42% of the district area. Forest yields quality Timber and Bamboo useful in Paper Industry. State Forest Department planted Cashew nut trees and Eucalyptus trees throughout the district. Coffee Estates are picking up their produce each year of progress. Titanium's ores, Magnalyte and Bauxite ores, quality Clays, Mica, and Graphite are the minerals found in this soil.

Major Industries are setup in the district especially in the Head quarters because of the Seaport. India's First Shipping Yard - Hindustan Shipyard, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, producing quality steel are the major industries found. Visakhapatnam Port - which is called as the Natural Harbor because of the Natural formation of the mountain peaks of the shape of Dolphin Nose emerging from the sea, making this Port an unique one.

Visakhapatnam is also called as Waltair or Vizag. Polavaram Project on the River Godavari is the Irrigation source to these lands. Visakhapatnam Thermal Power project is the Power source to the State as well as to the neighboring states. Upper Seleru Hydro Power Project producing electricity at less expensive rates is another feather in the Cap to this Industrious district. Electricity needs of the district are fulfilled by Hydro Power project on Machkand River.

Salient irrigation projects

1. Sri Raja Sagi Suryanarayana Raju Thandava Reservoir Project

Sri Raja Sagi Suryanarayana Raju Thandava Reservoir Project is constructed across River Thandava (Bodderu) during 1965 to 1975 with Latitude 17°-45'-50'' North & Longitude 82°-15'-20'' East to provide Irrigation facilities to an ayacut of 51465 Acres. Out of which 32689 Acres covered in 3 mandals namely Nathavaram, Narsipatnam & Kotauratla in Visakhapatnam District and 18776 Acres in 3 mandals namely Kotananduru, Tuni & Rowthulapudi of East Godavari Districts.The project is Situated near G.K.Gudem (v) near Golugonda (M) of Visakhapatnam District and is about 28 Km from Narsipatnam Municipality.

2. Sri Varada narayana Murthy Raiwada Reservoir Project:-

The project was constructed across Sarada River near Raiwada village in Devarapalli Mandal of Visakhapatnam District. The reservoir is situated at a distance of 3 KM from Devarapalli and at about 25 KM from Kothavalasa by road way.The river Sarada originates in Ananthagiri hills of Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh. It flows through the villages of Devarapalli, Chodavaram, Anakapalli, Kasimkota, Yellamanchili and Rambilli Mandals and joins in Bay of Bengal.. The project was completed in the year 1982 and serves an ayacut of 15344 Acres in Visakhapatnam District.

3. Sri Vechalapu Palavelli Konam Reservoir Project

The Project was constructed across River Bodderu (Tributary of SARADA River) near Konam Village in Chedikada Mandal of Visakhapatnam District. The Project is 40Kms from Anakapalli Road. This Reservoir was designed to irrigate an ayacut of 12,638 Acres of 39 Villages in Chedikada, Madugula, Devarapalli, Butchayyapeta, Chodavaram Mandals of Visakhapatnam District. This Project was started in 1977 and completed in 1980 with an expenditure of Rs.469 Lakhs.

4. Sri Tenneti Viswanadham Pedderu Reservoir Project

Sri Tenneti Viswanadham Pedderu Reservoir Project is a Medium Irrigation Reservoir Project on Peddeeru river, a tributary to river Sarada, formed near Ravipalem (V) in Madugula (M) of Visakhapatnam District. The contemplated ayacut under this scheme is 19,322 acres. The scheme was taken up and completed with the NABARD Assistance. The total number of villages benefited under this reservoir scheme is 62 villages spread in 3 Mandals namely Madugula, Ravikamatham and Butchiahpeta of Visakhapatnam District. Irrigation potential created fully during Khariff 2007.

Others include Urakagedda Reservoir Scheme, NTR Reservoir Project, Palagedda Reservoir Scheme, Jaggammagedda, etc

To know more, visit Irrigation AP