14 crest gates of Nagarjuna Sagar Dam opened after 18 years due to heavy inflows
Hyderabad: In a historic move, the 14 crest gates of the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam were opened on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, for the first time in 18 years. The decision came in response to significant inflows from upstream, filling the reservoir to nearly its full capacity. The dam is currently holding 305.62 TMC of water, compared to its full storage capacity of 312.04 TMC.
Telangana Irrigation Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy and Roads and Buildings Minister Adluri Laxman Kumar presided over the ceremonial opening, accompanied by senior irrigation officials. The gates were lifted to a height of five feet, releasing 78,060 cusecs of water into the Krishna River. Present inflows stand at 2,28,900 cusecs, with an outflow of 1,18,790 cusecs.
In his address, Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy highlighted the state government's commitment to prioritizing agriculture and ensuring timely irrigation. He noted that the Nagarjuna Sagar Project, initiated by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1955 and later inaugurated by Indira Gandhi in 1967, continues to play a key role in the region’s development. He also highlighted the Congress government's efforts to consistently fill Krishna River reservoirs, benefiting both Kharif and Rabi crop seasons.
The state has already released 3,000 cusecs of water ahead of schedule to support the ongoing Kharif season. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Telangana recorded a record paddy yield of 281 lakh metric tonnes last year, combining both crop seasons.
The Nagarjuna Sagar Project irrigates 22.12 lakh acres, with the right canal, named after Nehru, covering 11.74 lakh acres, and the left canal, named after Lal Bahadur Shastri, serving 10.38 lakh acres. Of this, 6.30 lakh acres are in Telangana and 4.08 lakh acres in Andhra Pradesh, benefiting both agriculture and drinking water supply.
The left canal spans 180.75 kilometers, with its 21st branch canal extending 112 kilometers. The entire project covers over 15,600 kilometers in Telangana alone. The crest gates, completed in 1974, regulate the storage and release of water from the dam.
Hydropower generation at Nagarjuna Sagar is also ongoing, with 700 megawatts of electricity produced across seven units, using 30,000 cusecs of water. An additional 60 megawatts are being generated from two units on the left canal.
Minister Uttam Kumar Reddy, a long-time representative of the Krishna River basin, reaffirmed his commitment to supporting farmers. “I understand the struggles faced by our farmers and will continue to ensure they receive timely irrigation,” he said.
The opening of the crest gates marks a significant moment for Telangana's irrigation and power sectors, highlighting the importance of the Nagarjuna Sagar Project in the region's agricultural and energy needs. Local MLAs, including Kunduru Jayaveer Reddy and Bathula Lakshma Reddy, as well as MLC Shankar Naik, were present at the event.
