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| Pocharam Project | |
|---|---|
| Country | India |
| Location | Pocharam village, Nagireddipet mandal, Kamareddy district, Telangana |
| Purpose | Irrigation, drinking water |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 1917 |
| Opening date | 1922 |
| Construction cost | ₹27.11 lakh (1922) |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Height | 21 ft (bund) |
| Length | 1.7 km |
| Spillway type | Non-gated overflow |
| Reservoir | |
| Total capacity | 2.423 TMC (reduced to 1.82 TMC due to siltation) |
| Power Station | |
| Installed capacity | -- |
The Pocharam Project is a medium irrigation reservoir built across the Allair River (also known as Alair stream) near Pocharam village, Nagireddipet mandal, Kamareddy district, in the Indian state of Telangana. Construction began in 1917 under the Nizam of Hyderabad and was completed in 1922. With an initial storage capacity of 2.423 tmcft, the project was intended to supply irrigation and drinking water to parts of present-day Kamareddy district and Medak district.
History
editThe foundation stone for the project was laid by the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1917. The dam was completed in 1922 at a cost of ₹27.11 lakh, using limestone masonry. The project was one of the earliest major irrigation works in Telangana.
Design and Features
editThe Pocharam Project is 1.7 km long with a 21 ft high earthen bund across the Allair River. Its Full Reservoir Level (FRL) is 14.64 ft. The project does not have gated spillways; instead, excess water flows over the dam crest, creating a "wall of water" effect during the monsoon. The catchment area is about 240 square miles, with a maximum flood discharge capacity of 1,982 cumecs.
The canal system extends nearly 58 km, with 73 distributaries divided into Zone A (1–48) and Zone B (49–73). In the kharif season, both zones are supplied water, while in the rabi season only one zone is irrigated on a rotational basis.
Irrigation and Utilisation
editThe reservoir was designed to irrigate about 10,500 acres across 42 villages in Nagireddipet and Yellareddy mandals of Kamareddy district, along with parts of Medak district. It also supplies drinking water to Yellareddy town. Due to siltation, the effective capacity has reduced to about 1.82 tmcft.
The project’s distributary canals continue to serve agriculture, with modernisation works periodically sanctioned by the Telangana government.
Tourism
editThe reservoir and its surroundings are a popular destination for visitors from Telangana, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. The scenic setting, fishing opportunities, and boating facilities draw thousands of tourists annually.
The historic Nizam’s Bungalow, constructed in 1918 near the reservoir, is another local attraction. An island in the centre of the reservoir provides a habitat for shrubs and birds, accessible by boat.
Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary
editThe Pocharam Wildlife Sanctuary was established around the reservoir and covers an area of about 130 km². Once a hunting reserve of the Nizam, the sanctuary is home to wildlife such as leopard, wolf, jackal, nilgai, chinkara, and several deer species, along with migratory birds like the bar-headed goose and Brahminy duck. It has become a notable eco-tourism destination.
Access
editPocharam is located about 36 km from Kamareddy, 15 km from Medak, and 110 km from Hyderabad. The nearest railway stations are Akkannapet (19 km) and Kamareddy (60 km), while the nearest airport is Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad.