Dams have contributed to the development of the country in terms of agriculture and industrial development as well as the economic development by the generation of hydro electricity. Countries like India which are dependent to a large extent on agriculture are also in turn dependent on water and water storage facilities. Hence dams play a role in providing the water for such purposes. So the continuous demand for building new dams and rehabilitating the old ones is always there.
One of the bigger dams in the country is present in the Telangana state is the Jurala Dam Project which is constructed on the River Krishna. The Jurala Dam is also commonly known as Priyadarshini Jurala Project is located at a distance of 10 kms from Kuravpur in Mahabubnagar district. Mr. Tanguturi Anjaiah laid the foundation of the dam. It is the only Hydro electric project in the state that supplies water throughout the year. The project was completed in 1995 and the dam is functional since then. The full reservoir level of the Jurala Dam is 1045 ft with the capacity set at a level of 11.94 TMC. The length of the dam is around a kilometer whereas the height is about 27.80 mtrs. The water from Kuravpur Kshetra serves as the major water resource for the dam. The Kuravpur Kshetra later merges with the water of Jurala. The project has taken place near the Nandi malla village of Atmakur Mandal. The dam is capable enough to fulfill the water demands of the villages around the dam and supplies water for irrigational and other domestic purposes to thousands of acres of land surrounding it. The left and the right canals that are constructed are used for the daily requirements of water. Power is also generated in “Priyadarshini Jurala Hydro Electric Project” with the cooperation of Karnataka state.
Important Details of the Jurala Dam:
The Juala Dam lying between Atmakur and Gadwal is about 60 kms away from the district head quarters. This is the first hydro electric project in the state on river Krishna among the many projects on the River that enters the state through Mahabubnagar district itself. Mr. Tanguturi Anjaiah laid the foundation of the project and renamed it as Priyadarshini project.
The project attracts tourists from other states like Maharashtra and Karnataka as well. The flow is much higher on weekends and on other holidays. The project comes under the management and governance of Major Irrigation Department of Government of Telangana.
Nearby Tourist Attractions:
There are other places of attraction here as well. The Deer Park is at a distance of 1.5 Kms from the Project. There are about 100 deers in the park. The Ramalayam Temple is located in the Project Colony. The Parthasaradhi Temple is also a beautiful temple located near the Project site. Other nearby temples are the Korakoda Gattu Temple and Chintharevula Temple.
How to Reach Jurala Dam:
By Train: One can reach the place by boarding the train and reaching till Gadwal which is 20 Kms from the destination. Next one may take up any private transport facilities available for visitors.
By Road: One may start from Hyderabad and while travelling from Hyderabad to Tirupathi, one has to get down at Yerravalli X Road on NH-7. Another 14 kms through Peddapadu and you are at the destination.
One may also start from Mahabubnagar. The distance is 70 kms via Amarachintha Atmakur. The distance from Raichur via Dharoor & Mannapur to the destination is about 44 km.
By Air: The Shamshabad, Hyderabad is the nearest Airport which is about 140 km from the destination.
Accommodation Details:
The visitors can have comfortable accommodation at Haritha Hotel, Near RTO Office, Gadwal Contact # 9494421852 which is 2 Kms from Jammulamma Temple. This temple is about 20 Kms from Jurala Dam.