Context:
The Prakasam Barrage is a major irrigation and road bridge structure built across the Krishna River at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. It plays a crucial role in irrigation, water supply, transport, and regional development in coastal Andhra Pradesh.
Key Details / Highlights
- Location: Vijayawada (NTR district), Andhra Pradesh
- River: Krishna River
- Constructed: First anicut built in 1855 during British rule; reconstructed as Prakasam Barrage and completed in 1957.
- Named after: Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu, first Chief Minister of the erstwhile Andhra State.
- Length: Approximately 1.23 km
- Purpose:
- Irrigation supply
- Drinking water supply
- Flood control
- Road connectivity (links Krishna and Guntur districts)
- Irrigation Coverage: Supplies water to over 13 lakh acres (5.3 lakh hectares) in Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, and West Godavari districts.
- Part of: Krishna Delta irrigation system
Historical Significance
- Originally designed by Sir Arthur Cotton as part of delta irrigation schemes.
- Helped turn Krishna-Godavari delta into one of India’s most fertile agricultural regions.
- Vital for rice cultivation in Andhra Pradesh—India’s “Rice Bowl”.
Issues & Concerns
- Silt accumulation reducing storage capacity
- Structural ageing – over 65 years old
- Prone to flood pressure from Krishna river flow
- Debate over impact of upstream projects in Telangana (like Nagarjuna Sagar, Srisailam) affecting water inflow
- Urban growth around barrage leading to pollution and encroachment
Relevant Prelims Points
• Krishna river originates from Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra
• Tributaries of Krishna: Bhima, Tungabhadra, Koyna, Ghataprabha, Malaprabha, Musi
• Other major barrages on Krishna: Nagarjuna Sagar, Srisailam Dam
• Also a tourist landmark in Vijayawada