Raiwada Reservoir

Raiwada Reservoir
Raiwada reservoir and a sluice gate bridge.
Raiwada reservoir and a sluice gate bridge.
Raiwada Reservoir is located in Andhra Pradesh
Raiwada Reservoir
Location of Raiwada reservoir in Andhra Pradesh
Official nameSri Varada Narayana Murty Raiwada Reservoir Project
CountryIndia
LocationDevarapalli, Anakapalli, Andhra Pradesh
Coordinates18°01′09″N 82°58′59″E / 18.019092°N 82.983007°E / 18.019092; 82.983007
PurposeIrrigation, water supply
StatusOperational
Construction began1981
Opening date1982
Owner(s)Government of Andhra Pradesh
Dam and spillways
ImpoundsSarada River
Length5,750 m
Reservoir
Total capacity102 MCM
Active capacity92.7 MCM
Inactive capacity9.20 MCM

Sri Varada Narayana Murty Raiwada Reservoir Project or Raiwada Reservoir is a reservoir constructed across the Sarada River near Raiwada village, Devarapalli mandal, Anakapalli district, 58 km from Visakhapatnam city. It is one of the main water sources for Visakhapatnam city.[1] Its capacity is 2,360 tcm, and it is maintained by Irrigation & CAD Dept.[2]

History

The Raiwada reservoir was discussed in 1962 legislative assembly debate and was estimated to cost ₹1.1 Crore, equivalent to ₹96 Crore in 2024.[3] It was again discussed in 1964 as an important project which would help meet the water requirements of the soon to be set up of Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and the Hindustan Shipyard, along with the Meghadri Gedda Reservoir.[4] The Raiwada Reservoir Scheme was included in the third five-year plan,[5] and the project was constructed during 1981-82. It was argued in a 1997 article titled "Water for the Rich" in Economic and Political Weekly that GVMC prioritised water supply for industries by supplying 125 lakh gallons to industries while only 97 lakh gallons per day were available for domestic consumption.[6]

Canals

The main canal passes through Devarapalli, Vepada, K.Kotapadu, Sabbavaram, and transports water from the reservoir to a filtration plant in Narava for drinking water requirements of Visakhapatnam. The total length of canals is 68 Km. In 2019, GVMC spent ₹1.96 crore to draw water from dead storage due to water shortages in summer.[7]

Proposed hydroelectric projects

In 2023, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has approved two large-scale pumped storage hydroelectric projects around the Raiwada reservoir proposed by Adani Green Energy through its subsidiaries.[8] The social consequences of these projects have led to considerable debate and opposition. Surveys in affected villages were met with resistance from locals and several protests were organised.[9][10] Civil society organisations allege violations of the PESA and FRA Acts, lack of informed consent and transparency, and fears of tribal displacement and environmental harm.[11][12][13][14][15]

Pedakota Pumped Storage Project

The Pedakota PSP, initially approved for 1000 MW capacity in 2023, was later revised to 1800 MW (6x300 MW) in 2025. It is proposed to be built near Pedakota, Dayarti and Madrebu villages in Ananthagiri mandal by utilising water from the Tamutapu Gedda which joins the Sarada river downstream. The requested water allocation for this project is 16.547 MCM.[16][17][18]

Raiwada Close Loop Pumped Storage Project

The Raiwada PSP, revised from 600 MW to 900 MW capacity, is being developed near Marika and Sammeda villages in Vepada and Devarapalli mandals of Vizianagaram and Anakapalli districts respectively. The upper dam for this project is planned to be near Marika village, which is situated in the Marika Reserved Forest and lower dam near Sammeda village. The requested allocations are 832 acres of land and 23 MCM of water from the Sarada river.[18][16][19]

  • Dam and gates
    Dam and gates
  • As seen from space
    As seen from space
  • View on a cloudy day
    View on a cloudy day
  • A tree in Raiwada reservoir
    A tree in Raiwada reservoir
  • Main canal outflow
    Main canal outflow
  • Nameboard of the reservoir
    Nameboard of the reservoir

References

  1. ^ "Raiwada Reservoir Project". Archived from the original on 14 May 2023. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  2. ^ "Raiwada Dam D02223 -". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  3. ^ Andra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Debates: 15-12-1962.
  4. ^ Andra Pradesh Legislative Assembly Debates: 21-02-1964.
  5. ^ Pradesh, India (Republic) Superintendent of Census Operations, Andhra (1967). District Census Handbook, Andhra Pradesh, Census 1961: Visakhapatnam. Government of Andhra Pradesh.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ 8233 Economic Polotical Weekly Volno-32(1997).
  7. ^ Sarma, G. V. Prasada (6 May 2019). "All set for pumping from dead storage of Raiwada reservoir". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 13 August 2024.
  8. ^ "A.P. Cabinet approves renewable energy project expansions, cancels delayed PSP project in Nandyal". The Hindu. 24 June 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  9. ^ Sudhir, S. N. V. (19 January 2023). "Trouble brews against pumped storage projects in Schedule-5 regions as tribals are up in arms". The South First. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  10. ^ "దేవరాపల్లిలో హైడ్రోపవర్‌ ప్లాంట్‌ల కోసం చేస్తున్న రహస్య సర్వేలను వెంటనే ఆపండి: సిపిఎం". Prajasakti. 8 July 2024. Retrieved 24 July 2025.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  11. ^ "Andhra Pradesh: Pumped Storage Projects Spark Concerns over Tribal Displacement and Environmental Harm". The Wire. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  12. ^ "Approval for Adani Group's Pumped Storage Project expansion in Andhra Pradesh draws flak". The Hindu. 1 July 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  13. ^ "అదాని పవర్‌ ప్లాంట్‌తో రైవాడ, కోనాం ప్రాజెక్టులకు ముప్పు | - | Sakshi". www.sakshi.com (in Telugu). Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  14. ^ Forum, Human Rights (17 January 2023). "PSPs In Fifth Schedule Granted In Open Contempt Of Law". Human Rights Forum. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  15. ^ "దేవరపల్లి: రైవాడ ఉసురు తీసెస్తున్నారు". Lokal Telugu (in Telugu). Retrieved 23 July 2025.
  16. ^ a b Government of Andhra Pradesh, ENERGY (POWER.II) DEPARTMENT G.O.MS.No. 51 dated 30-06-2025
  17. ^ Government of Andhra Pradesh, ENERGY (POWER.II) DEPARTMENT G.O.MS.No. 01 dated 18-01-2023
  18. ^ a b "Minutes of 51ST MEETING OF EXPERT APPRAISAL COMMITTEE Expert Appraisal Committee meeting River Valley and Hydroelectric Projects held from 12/09/2023 to 12/09/2023" (PDF). parivesh.nic.in. 3 October 2023.
  19. ^ "రైవాడను వదలని అదాని". Prajasakti (in Telugu). 25 June 2025. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
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