Repairs Must for Komaram Bheem Project to Store Rainwater, Solve Drinking Water Problem
Irrigation officials discharge water downstream without storing the water, limiting its storage capacity so as to avoid damage to the project.
Adilabad:The Komaram Bheem Irrigation project can store water to its full capacity if repairs are done. This would help solve drinking water problems in Komaram Bheem Asifabad district and parts of Adilabad district in the coming months.
The Komaram Bheem project is the main source for the water supply under Mission Bhagiratha up to Indravelli mandal in Adilabad district from Asifabad mandal. Notably, the project is not providing water for irrigation.
Irrigation officials discharge water downstream without storing the water, limiting its storage capacity so as to avoid damage to the project.
Filling the Komaram Bheem project with rain water gained importance following the prolonged dry spell due to the effects of El Nino for the future drinking water needs of the agency areas.
The project is surrounded by hills. Rainwater flows into the project from the hills during the rains. Thus, the project receives heavy flow of rainwater.
A portion of the project's bund has developed cracks and has been covered with tarpaulin covers for the last four years.
In June, 2025, Officials of CWC and the Dam Safety Authority had checked the safety of the project and advised the irrigation officials not to store more than 6tmc of water, though its capacity is 10.5tmc, to avoid a threat to the bund and any eventuality during the monsoon.
The storage capacity of the project is 10.6tmc of water, but the irrigation officials also always maintain that there will not be more than 5tmc of water in the project. The project cost was `367 crore, and the left canal was intended to irrigate 35,000 acres of land in Sirpur (T), Wankidi and Kagaznagar mandals and also 4,500 acres under the Right canal in Asifabad mandal.
The proposed left canal has not been completed due to the requirement of forest clearance for many years, which caused a delay in laying canals.
The Komaram Bheem project's full storage capacity is 10.399tmc, but the present water level is 235.85 metres, and the present capacity 4.878tmc. Irrigation officials say water available in the Komaram Bheem Asifabad reservoir is sufficient for only 174 days’ drinking water requirements.
