Thotapalli canal alignment to be changed

Srikakulam: The alignment of canals of the Thotapalli reservoir might be changed in Ranasthalam mandal to exclude the villages that would be affected due to the proposed nuclear power plant (NPP).

With the NPP at Kovvada village in Ranasthalam mandal; Kovvada, Chinnakovvada, Ramachandrapuram, Tekkali, Kotapalem and Gudem villages would completely be affected and have to be displaced.

Earlier, it was proposed that lands in these villages would be covered under Thotapalli project ayacut. However, as the Revenue department initiated survey for land acquisition for the NPP, the State government issued GO 126 declaring three different zones around the proposed NPP.

Meanwhile, Thotapalli irrigation project engineers, revenue and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) officials launched a joint inspection in the NPP affected villages to mark exact boundaries and to change alignment of the canal.

Speaking to The Hans India, Thotapalli project deputy engineer M Rama Krishna said that they have received information from revenue and NPCIL officials on change of ayacut in the NPP affected villages and conducted field verification.

NPCIL executive engineer D Ramalinga Devara confirmed that the alignment of the canals would be changed. “Lands covered under NPP affected area would be excluded from Thotapalli canal ayacut,” he added.