Kondapochamma Sagar: A cost-effective and strategic water source for Hyderabad

Kondapochamma Sagar, a key component of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, is emerging as a strategic and cost-effective water source for Hyderabad. With its elevation enabling gravity-based flow, it offers significant advantages over Mallanna Sagar. The reservoir supports both urban drinking water and rural irrigation needs, despite facing social challenges during construction.

Hyderabad: As part of the Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Scheme, Kondapochamma Sagar is seamlessly integrated into the Godavari water supply network. Water from the Godavari River is pumped through a series of reservoirs and pump houses to reach Kondapochamma Sagar, making it an efficient and ready-to-use source for Hyderabad’s drinking water needs and the Musi River rejuvenation project.

According to V. Prakash Rao, a river water activist and former Chairman of the Telangana Water Resources Development Corporation, Kondapochamma Sagar offers considerable cost advantages over alternatives like Mallanna Sagar.

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In an interview with Telangana Today, Rao emphasised that the construction and operational costs of sourcing water from Kondapochamma Sagar are substantially lower than the Rs 7,390 crore estimated for Mallanna Sagar. Additionally, the reservoir’s elevation enables gravity-based water flow, potentially meeting nearly half of Hyderabad’s water needs with minimal energy costs.

Advantages of Kondapochamma Sagar

A previous plan to transfer 10 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water from Kondapochamma Sagar to the proposed Keshavapuram reservoir for Hyderabad’s drinking water was estimated at Rs.1,100 crore.

In contrast, sourcing water from Mallanna Sagar has escalated costs to Rs 7,390 crore due to expanded infrastructure, inflation, and a hybrid annuity model (40% government funding, 60% contractor funding). This seven-fold cost difference underscores Kondapochamma’s economic advantage.

With a capacity of 15 TMC, Kondapochamma Sagar is well-suited to meet Hyderabad’s immediate and mid-term water requirements, particularly when supplemented by existing sources like Krishna River water from Sunkishala and Godavari water from Yellampally. While Mallanna Sagar’s 50 TMC capacity is designed to meet Hyderabad’s projected demand of 170 MGD (million gallons per day) by 2030, the city’s current supply is approximately 600 MGD, making Kondapochamma’s capacity adequate for the near term.

Kondapochamma Sagar’s proximity to Hyderabad and its favourable elevation reduce energy costs and transmission losses compared to Mallanna Sagar, which requires extensive infrastructure, including a 3,000-mm diameter pipeline and additional water treatment plants. Gravity-based flow from Kondapochamma simplifies operations and lowers maintenance costs.

Beyond drinking water, Kondapochamma Sagar supports irrigation for approximately 2.85 lakh acres across Siddipet, Sangareddy, Medak, Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri, and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts. It can also contribute to rejuvenating Osman Sagar, Himayat Sagar, and the Musi River, enhancing Hyderabad’s water ecosystem.

Prakash Rao made it clear that the construction of Kondapochamma Sagar faced delays due to land acquisition issues and logistical challenges, submerging three villages and one tanda. These social impacts highlight the need for careful planning to address displacement and ensure equitable rehabilitation.

Despite these challenges, the BRS government successfully constructed a lift system to pump water from Mallanna Sagar to Kondapochamma Sagar, making it operational and ready to meet Hyderabad’s needs.