Pocharam Irrigation Project

operational

The 103-year-old Pocharam irrigation project in Kamareddy district has withstood one of the heaviest floods in its history, safely absorbing an unprecedented inflow of 1.82 lakh cusecs, nearly three times its maximum flood discharge capacity of 70,000 cusecs. Initiated by the Nizam government over a century ago, the project was completed in 1922 at a cost of Rs 27 lakh. It is built with limestone across the Manchippa stream in Nagireddypet mandal, originally having a capacity of 2.423 tmc, now reduced to 1.82 tmc due to siltation. The project stretches 1.7 km with a 21-ft high embankment, supported by 58 km of canals and 73 distributaries, irrigating nearly 10,500 acres in Kamareddy and parts of Medak. It serves as a vital source of irrigation and drinking water.