Srisailam Dam: The Deep Gorge Titan
Key Takeaways
- Srisailam Dam is a concrete gravity dam built across the Krishna River in a deep, narrow gorge within the Nallamala hills. It straddles the border between Nagarkurnool district (Telangana) and Nandyal district (Andhra Pradesh).
- Height: 145 metres (476 ft); Length: 512 metres (1,680 ft). It has 12 radial crest gates and a gross storage capacity of approximately 6.1 BCM (216 TMC).
- Total installed power capacity: 1,670 MW — one of the largest in India. Left Bank Power House (Telangana): 900 MW (6 × 150 MW reversible Francis turbines, operates as Pumped Storage Plant). Right Bank Power House (Andhra Pradesh): 770 MW (7 × 110 MW conventional units).
- Key irrigation structures: Srisailam Right Branch Canal (SRBC), Pothireddypadu Head Regulator, Telugu Ganga Project (drinking water to Chennai), and Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme.
- The reservoir and catchment lie inside the Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) — India’s largest tiger reserve by area. The area is also home to the Chenchu Tribe (PVTG) and is near the famous Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple.
- Timeline: Proposed 1960 → Approved 1963 → Foundation by Nehru (Sept 1963) → Dam completed 1981 → Dedicated by Indira Gandhi (Aug 1982).
Introduction & Strategic Importance
Srisailam Dam is one of the most important multipurpose projects on the Krishna River and a critical asset for the power and irrigation needs of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Built in a dramatic deep gorge in the Nallamala hills, it combines massive hydroelectric generation (including pumped storage) with vital water diversion for drought-prone regions and even inter-state drinking water supply to Chennai.
Its location inside one of India’s largest tiger reserves and its proximity to one of the holiest Jyotirlinga temples also make it a unique case study in the intersection of development, ecology, and cultural geography — topics frequently tested in UPSC and State PSC examinations.
Srisailam is often asked under “Largest hydroelectric projects”, “Pumped Storage Plants in India”, “Telugu Ganga Project”, “Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve”, and “Chenchu Tribe (PVTG)”.
Location, River & Deep Gorge Setting
The dam is built across the Krishna River in a deep, narrow gorge within the Nallamala hills. It lies on the border between Nagarkurnool district of Telangana and Nandyal (formerly Kurnool) district of Andhra Pradesh. The famous Srisailam temple township is located on the right bank.
The Nallamala hills form part of the Eastern Ghats and create a natural canyon that gives the dam its distinctive tall and relatively narrow profile compared to many other concrete gravity dams in India.
“Srisailam = Sri (temple) + Sailam (in the hills/gorge) on Krishna”. It is the only major dam in India where a major Jyotirlinga temple and a large tiger reserve coexist so closely with the reservoir.
Physical Specifications & Structural Design
Srisailam is a concrete gravity dam constructed in a deep natural canyon, giving it a high height-to-length ratio that is structurally distinctive.
The dam has 12 massive radial crest gates and a gross storage capacity of approximately 6.1 Billion Cubic Metres (216 TMC). The reservoir extends upstream into both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Power Generation Fleet & Pumped Storage
Srisailam is one of the largest hydroelectric complexes in India with a total installed capacity of 1,670 MW.
- Left Bank Power House (Telangana side): 900 MW (6 × 150 MW reversible Francis turbines). It functions as a Pumped Storage Plant (PSP), pumping water back into the reservoir during off-peak hours and generating power during peak demand.
- Right Bank Power House (Andhra Pradesh side): 770 MW (7 × 110 MW conventional units).
The pumped storage capability of the Left Bank powerhouse makes Srisailam particularly valuable for grid stability in the Southern Region.
Remember: Srisailam has 1,670 MW total capacity. Left Bank (Telangana) = 900 MW with pumped storage. Right Bank (AP) = 770 MW conventional. It is one of the largest PSPs in India.
Irrigation Networks & Inter-Basin Transfers
Srisailam serves as a major diversion node for several important irrigation and drinking water projects:
- Srisailam Right Branch Canal (SRBC): Supplies water to the drought-prone Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh.
- Pothireddypadu Head Regulator: The key structure that draws water from the Srisailam reservoir to feed the Telugu Ganga Project, SRBC, and Galeru Nagari Sujala Sravanthi project.
- Telugu Ganga Project: An interstate project that supplies drinking water to Chennai city (Tamil Nadu) while also stabilizing irrigation in Rayalaseema.
- Kalwakurthy Lift Irrigation Scheme: Lifts water from the reservoir to irrigate areas in Mahabubnagar and Nagarkurnool districts of Telangana.
“Srisailam = Power (1,670 MW) + Water (Telugu Ganga to Chennai + Rayalaseema canals)”. It is the key upstream regulator for both power and water needs of southern Andhra and northern Tamil Nadu.
Historical Timeline
- 1960 — Project initially proposed as a pure power generation scheme.
- July 1963 — Officially approved by the Planning Commission of India.
- 4 September 1963 — Foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
- 1981 — Main concrete gravity dam wall construction completed.
- August 1982 — Dedicated to the nation and water release initiated by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Environmental & Eco-Spiritual Interface
Srisailam presents a unique overlap of modern infrastructure with rich ecology and ancient spirituality.
- Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR): The reservoir backwaters and catchment lie inside this reserve, which is the largest tiger reserve in India by total area.
- Chenchu Tribe: The surrounding forests are the ancestral home of the Chenchu people, a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG). Issues of displacement and forest rights are frequently discussed in social geography.
- Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple: One of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva and one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas is located very close to the dam on the right bank, creating a classic example of pilgrimage centre coexisting with a major river valley project.
Link Srisailam with: (1) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (largest in India), (2) Chenchu Tribe (PVTG), (3) Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga, and (4) Pumped Storage + Telugu Ganga Project.
Srisailam Dam in Comparison with Other Major Indian Dams
| Dam | State(s) | River | Height (m) | Key Distinction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Srisailam | Telangana + AP | Krishna | 145 | 1,670 MW with pumped storage • Deep gorge location • Telugu Ganga to Chennai |
| Bhakra Nangal | Himachal + Punjab | Sutlej | 226 | Highest gravity dam in India |
| Nagarjuna Sagar | Telangana + AP | Krishna | 124 | World’s largest masonry dam • Downstream of Srisailam |
| Sardar Sarovar | Gujarat | Narmada | 138.68 | 2nd largest concrete gravity dam by volume • Massive canal network |
| Koyna | Maharashtra | Koyna (Krishna) | 103.2 | Inter-basin diversion • Classic RIS example |
| Rihand | Uttar Pradesh | Rihand (Sone) | 91.44 | Cooling water lifeline for >10,000 MW thermal cluster |
Quick Revision One-Liners for Exams
- Srisailam Dam — Concrete gravity dam on Krishna River in deep Nallamala gorge (Telangana–AP border).
- Height & Length — 145 m high, 512 m long, 12 radial crest gates, 6.1 BCM (216 TMC) storage.
- Power — 1,670 MW total. Left Bank (Telangana): 900 MW with pumped storage. Right Bank (AP): 770 MW.
- Key Structures — Pothireddypadu Head Regulator feeds Telugu Ganga Project, SRBC, and Galeru Nagari Sujala Sravanthi.
- Telugu Ganga — Supplies drinking water to Chennai city + irrigation in Rayalaseema.
- Timeline — Proposed 1960; Foundation by Nehru (Sept 1963); Completed 1981; Dedicated by Indira Gandhi (Aug 1982).
- Ecology — Lies inside Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (largest tiger reserve in India).
- Tribal Link — Home to Chenchu Tribe (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group).
- Cultural Link — Near Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple (one of the 12 Jyotirlingas).
- Unique Feature — One of India’s largest pumped storage plants located in a deep gorge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total installed power capacity of Srisailam Dam?
What is the significance of the Pothireddypadu Head Regulator?
Which tiger reserve is associated with the Srisailam reservoir?
What is the Telugu Ganga Project and how is it linked to Srisailam Dam?
Which tribal community is associated with the Srisailam region?
Who laid the foundation stone and who dedicated Srisailam Dam?
What makes the location of Srisailam Dam unique from an eco-spiritual perspective?
🎯 Practice Questions: Test Yourself for RRB, SSC & UPSC
Attempt these 10 exam-style MCQs based strictly on this article, then reveal each answer.
Q1. Srisailam Dam is built across which river?
- A) Godavari
- B) Krishna
- C) Tungabhadra
- D) Penna
Show Answer
Correct: B. It is a concrete gravity dam across the Krishna River in a deep gorge of the Nallamala hills.
Q2. What is the total installed power capacity of the Srisailam complex?
- A) 770 MW
- B) 900 MW
- C) 1,670 MW
- D) 2,000 MW
Show Answer
Correct: C. 1,670 MW total — Left Bank 900 MW (pumped storage) + Right Bank 770 MW conventional.
Q3. The Left Bank Power House (Telangana side) of Srisailam functions as a:
- A) Run-of-the-river station
- B) Pumped Storage Plant
- C) Thermal-hydel hybrid
- D) Tidal power station
Show Answer
Correct: B. Its 6 × 150 MW reversible Francis turbines pump water back during off-peak hours — a Pumped Storage Plant.
Q4. Which structure draws water from Srisailam reservoir to feed the Telugu Ganga Project and SRBC?
- A) Prakasam Barrage
- B) Pothireddypadu Head Regulator
- C) Polavaram Regulator
- D) Almatti Gates
Show Answer
Correct: B. The Pothireddypadu Head Regulator feeds the Telugu Ganga Project, SRBC and Galeru Nagari Sujala Sravanthi.
Q5. The Telugu Ganga Project supplies drinking water to which city?
- A) Hyderabad
- B) Bengaluru
- C) Chennai
- D) Visakhapatnam
Show Answer
Correct: C. It is an interstate project supplying drinking water to Chennai city while stabilizing Rayalaseema irrigation.
Q6. The Srisailam reservoir and catchment lie inside which tiger reserve?
- A) Kawal Tiger Reserve
- B) Amrabad Tiger Reserve
- C) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
- D) Papikonda Tiger Reserve
Show Answer
Correct: C. The NSTR is India's largest tiger reserve by total area.
Q7. What is the height of Srisailam Dam?
- A) 124 m
- B) 138.68 m
- C) 145 m
- D) 226 m
Show Answer
Correct: C. The dam is 145 m (476 ft) high and 512 m long, with 12 radial crest gates.
Q8. Which Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) inhabits the forests around Srisailam?
- A) Baiga
- B) Chenchu
- C) Toda
- D) Koya
Show Answer
Correct: B. The Chenchu Tribe, a PVTG, has its ancestral home in the forests surrounding the reservoir.
Q9. Who laid the foundation stone of Srisailam Dam and who dedicated it to the nation?
- A) Nehru (1963); Indira Gandhi (1982)
- B) Indira Gandhi (1963); Rajiv Gandhi (1982)
- C) Nehru (1960); Shastri (1965)
- D) Rajendra Prasad (1963); Nehru (1981)
Show Answer
Correct: A. Nehru laid the foundation on 4 September 1963; Indira Gandhi dedicated it in August 1982.
Q10. Which Jyotirlinga temple is located close to Srisailam Dam?
- A) Somnath
- B) Bhimashankar
- C) Mallikarjuna
- D) Rameshwaram
Show Answer
Correct: C. The Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga Temple — one of the 12 Jyotirlingas — is on the right bank near the dam.
Krishna Gorge, Andhra–Telangana
Srisailam is a Krishna hydropower-and-shrine location item. Sit a full mock so it does not blur with Nagarjuna Sagar; PYQs keep the gorge fact.
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