View source for Nizam Sagar Dam

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2015}}
{{cleanup rewrite|date=March 2015}}
{{Infobox dam
| name = Nizam Sagar
| image = Nizam Sagar,Nizamabad.jpg
| image_caption =
| name_official = 
| dam_crosses = [[Manjira River]]
| res_name = 
| location = Kamareddy, [[Telangana]], [[India]]
| dam_length = 3 km
| dam_height = 95.72 m
| dam_width_base = 
| construction_began = 1923
| opening = {{start date and age|1931}}
| cost = 
| res_capacity_total = 29.72 tmc ft (<ref> National register of large dams, Central water commission, Govt.of India, 2019 Ed</ref>)
| res_catchment = 
| res_surface = 
| location_map = India Telangana#India
| location_map_size = 
| location_map_caption = 
| coordinates = {{coord|18|12|09|N|77|55|26|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
}}

'''Nizam Sagar Dam '''is an Indian dam named after the [[Nizam]] of Hyderabad. It is a [[reservoir (water)|reservoir]] constructed across the [[Manjira River]], a tributary of the [[Godavari River]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.kgbo-cwc.ap.nic.in/About%20Basins/Godavari.pdf |title=Godavari river basin map |access-date=30 January 2012 |archive-date=12 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012032632/http://www.kgbo-cwc.ap.nic.in/About%20Basins/Godavari.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> between [[Achampet, Nizamabad|Achampet]] and BanjePally villages of the [[Kamareddy district]] in [[Telangana]], [[India]]. It is located at about {{convert|144|km|abbr=on}} north-west of [[Hyderabad, India|Hyderabad]]. Nizam Sagar is the oldest dam in the state of [[Telangana]].

==History==
Nizamsagar dam was constructed in 1923 by [[Mir Osman Ali Khan]] - the 7th [[Nizam]] of the erstwhile [[Hyderabad State]]. It was made by emptying over 40 villages length:{{convert|3|km|abbr=on}}.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}}. The dam has an effective storage capacity of 724.9 Mcm (million cubic meters) or 25.6 tmc ft <ref> National Register of large dams, Central Water commission, Govt of India, 2019 Ed</ref>

==The dam==
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2014}}

Before Nizam Sagar was built, the Manjira River was not properly harnessed and little water was being used by diverting water at Ghanpur Anicut for Irrigating about {{convert|5000|acre}} and an open Channel called Mahaboob Nagar (Right Canal) in Medak District. The Ghanpur Anicut was the first scheme constructed across Manjira river in 1904 at a cost of Rs.18.00 Lakhs. Some years later, Nawab Ali Nawaj Jung Bahadur as Superintending Engineer added Fatch Nahar (Left canal) to increase the utility of the river later. The ayacut of {{convert|17308|acre}} was being irrigated under this Ghanpur Anicut that subsequently increased to {{convert|30000|acre}} as per actuals.<ref name="nizam-project">{{cite web |title=Nizam Sagar Project – Irrigation Dept, Telangana |url=https://irrigation.telangana.gov.in/img/projectspdf/nizamsagar.pdf |access-date=2025-06-11 |publisher=Government of Telangana}}</ref>
 
Nizam sagar Project is the second irrigation scheme on Manjira river and the largest in the then Hyderabad state taken up during the year 1923 and completed by the year 1931. This Project was originally contemplated for utilization of 58.00 TMC of water to irrigate{{convert|275000|acre}} acres in Banswada, Bodhan, Nizamabad and Armoor Taluks of Nizamabad District. After reorganization of States in 1956, the Manjira basin was distributed among the three states viz., Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana.<ref name="ghanpur-anicut">{{cite web |title=Ghanpur Anicut Project |url=https://irrigation.telangana.gov.in/img/projectspdf/ghanpur.pdf |access-date=2025-06-11 |publisher=Irrigation Dept, Telangana}}</ref>
 
Different irrigation schemes have come up in above three states. Some of them to mention are:
 
Manjira Barrage and [[Singur Dam|Singur Project]] in Telangana to meet the drinking water needs of twin cities of Hyderabad and [[Secunderabad]] in Telangana.
 
Karanja Project, Choukinala Project in Karnataka, Lower Tiruna Project, Manjira Project in Maharashtra State. Therefore, the inflows into Nizamsagar Project and as well as the low flows at Ghanpur Anicut during lean periods have dwindled considerably. Added to this the silting of reservoir has been at greater pace than designed for. From the investigation conducted by the A,.P.E.R.L. (Andhra Pradesh Engineering and Research Laboratories) Hyderabad in 1973, it was shown that the capacity of 29.7 TMC at original FRL of RL + {{convert|1400.50|ft|abbr=on}} has been reduced to 11.8 TMC. In the remodeling proposals F.R.L. has been raised from +{{convert|1400.50|ft|abbr=on}} to +{{convert|1405.00|ft|abbr=on}} and the capacity at this new FRL of + {{convert|1405.00|ft|abbr=on}} is 17.80 TMC.
 
Apart from the above changes, out of the total localized ayacut of {{convert|275000|acre}}, {{convert|28085|acre}} have come under submergence of Sreeramsagar Project, {{convert|8296|acre}} have come in the command of Lakshmi canal and Kakatiya Canal of Sreeramsagar Project, and {{convert|7260|acre}} ayacut has not been getting water since inception of Nizamsagar Project. Thus, the settled ayacut of {{convert|275000|acre}} has come down to {{convert|231339|acre}}.

The local people believe that everyone should visit this place at least once in whole life to make it complete.
 
In view of the above enumerated facts, the inflows into Nizamsagar Project not only reduced but also delayed resulting in not only in the delayed commencement of agricultural operations in the ayacut but also some times loss of crop due to insufficient water supply. The problem has become more acute during the years 1972–73, 1993–94 and 1994–95.Babli dam

==Salient features==
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2014}}Location: Achampet (Vill), Nizamsagar (Mandal) Kamareddy Dist. (Telangana)
 
Longitude: 76° –56’ East
Latitude: 18° – 10’ North
River/Basin: Manjira / Godavari 21,694&nbsp;km (8376 Sq.Miles.)
 
i) Maharashtra: {{convert|10474|km|abbr=on}}
 
ii)Karnataka: {{convert|4015|km|abbr=on}}
 
ii)Andhra Pradesh: {{convert|7205|km|abbr=on}}
 
Water spreads:
 
a) At MWL: 146.36&nbsp;km (56.51 Sq.Miles)
 
b) At FRL: 129.50&nbsp;km (50.00 Sq.Miles)
 
RESERVOIR DATA                                          OLD                            NEW
A) F.R.L.                                              : +1400.50                   +1405.00
B) M.W.L.                                           : +1405.00                   +1405.00
C)MDDL                                             : +1376.00
D)Sill of regulator                              : +1364.00
E) TBL                                                   : +1412.00
1) ORIGINAL DESIGNED M.F.D.
1) Computed M.F.D. from C.A.: 5,25,000 C/s.
2) Proposed disposal: 4,73,577 C/s.

Area Irrigated:

i) Cultivatable command area: 2.75 Lakhs Acres.

ii) Area localized: 2.31 Lakhs Acres.
 
CAPACITY OF THE RESERVOIR.
A) Gross: 29,716 Mcft.
B) Live: 25,600 Mcft.
C) Present capacity at +1405’: 17,803 Mcft.
D) Present capacity @MDDL +1376’: 786 Mcft.
Height of Dam above River Bed: 115.50&nbsp;ft.
Top width of dam: 14’-0"
i) Gravity: 10,100&nbsp;ft.
ii)Composite: 5,200&nbsp;ft
Scouring sluice: 9 V. 8’x12’
Regulator sluices: 11 V.8’x10.5’
Main Canal: Off tae at R/F. Saddla Power House

==Interstate Dispute==
The water use entitlement of this project is 58 thousand million cubic feet (tmc) at 75% dependability (i.e. sufficient water is available in 3 out of 4 years) under [[Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal]] (GWDT). However the water dependability has reduced to 33% (i.e. sufficient water is available only once in 3 years) in last decade due to more water utilization by Maharashtra and Karnataka by developing excessive water use potential<ref>{{cite web|url=http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpapp.html?show=JI00410|title=Dams & barrages location map in India|access-date=2012-12-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130921060209/http://india-wris.nrsc.gov.in/wrpapp.html?show=JI00410|archive-date=21 September 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> beyond their water use entitlements given by GWDT. Karnataka has constructed four barrages across the Manjira river and three more are under construction. Similarly, Maharashtra state constructed at least 30 barrages on main tributaries of Manjira river downstream of major dams for recharging ground water, drinking water and irrigation purposes. This very old major irrigation project has become unproductive for want of water inflows. Also the water quality / salinity & [[Alkali soil|alkalinity]] of inflows into this reservoir is becoming unsafe for irrigation use and human & cattle consumption. The ground water is also turning into high [[Soil salinity control|salinity]] & alkalinity water.

Recently, the [[water scarcity]] problem of [[Sriram Sagar Project|Pochampadu]] irrigation system is some extent resolved by supreme court but acute water scarcity faced by Nizam sagar irrigation project is not yet addressed. Supreme court verdict (section 83 ii b) on [[Babli Project]] dispute stipulated that the gates of Babhali barrage remain lifted during the monsoon season, i.e., 1 July to 28 October and there is no obstruction to the natural flow of Godavari river during monsoon season below the three dams (Paithan, Siddheshwar & Nizamsagar dams) mentioned in Clause II (i) of the agreement dated 06.10.1975 towards Pochampad dam.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.indiankanoon.org/doc/160288133/|title= Supreme Court verdict on Babhali project dispute |date=February 2013|access-date=21 March 2013}}</ref> Thus Pochampadu reservoir is accorded first priority over any other reservoir (major, medium, minor, barrage, etc.) to receive the water generated from the Godavari basin area located below these three dams. As stipulated by Supreme court, central government has set up monitoring committee to implement / supervise the water sharing as per agreement dated 06.10.1975 and supreme court verdict.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://newindianexpress.com/nation/Centre-sets-up-panel-on-Babli/2013/10/18/article1841969.ece |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20131024045413/http://newindianexpress.com/nation/Centre-sets-up-panel-on-Babli/2013/10/18/article1841969.ece |url-status= dead |archive-date= 24 October 2013 |title=  Centre sets up panel on Babli|access-date=19 October 2013}}</ref> Telangana government shall take the dispute to supreme court to resolve the water scarcity problem of Nizam sagar irrigation project at the earliest as Maharashtra and Karnataka states are using in excess of permitted water by building new projects and the water availability is becoming more and more grim in the downstream Telangana state.

==See also==
*[[Godavari River Basin Irrigation Projects]]
*[[List of dams and reservoirs in India]]
*[[Sriram Sagar Project]]
*[[Icchampally Project]]
*[[Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal]]

==External links==
*[http://www.wikimapia.org/#lat=18.166667&lon=77.916667&z=11&l=0&m=h Wikimapia map]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Godavari basin}}
{{Hydrography of Telangana}}
{{Waters of South Asia}}
{{Dams and reservoirs in India}}
{{Dams and Reservoirs}}

[[Category:Dams on the Godavari River]]
[[Category:Dams in Telangana]]
[[Category:Reservoirs in Telangana]]
[[Category:Godavari basin]]
[[Category:Hyderabad State]]
[[Category:Inter-state disputes in India]]
[[Category:Dams completed in 1931]]
[[Category:Establishments in Hyderabad State]]
[[Category:Kamareddy district]]
[[Category:1923 establishments in India]]
[[Category:20th-century architecture in India]]