Kuppam branch canal network to cover all 418 tanks

Tirupati: From filling 133 tanks with Krishna water last year, the government is now expanding the Kuppam Branch Canal network to cover all 418 tanks in Kuppam constituency. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will offer Jalaharathi at the HNSS canal on Monday as part of the expansion programme. The government has prepared proposals to supply water to tanks in Kuppam, Santhipuram, Gudupalle and Ramakuppam mandals. The works are estimated to cost about Rs 439 crore. Last year, Krishna water entered the Kuppam Branch Canal from the Punganur Branch Canal on August 21 and reached the tail-end Paramasamudram tank on August 25.

Naidu offered Jalaharathi at the tank on August 30. Though the original plan was to fill 110 tanks, water was supplied to 133 tanks. The flow also helped improve groundwater levels in several areas. The Kuppam Branch Canal starts at the 207.800-km point of the Punganur Branch Canal and runs for 131.2 km, ending atParamasamudram tank. With both lift and gravity sections, the canal has three lift points and is designed to carry 161 cusecs up to the tail-end.

The canal was originally designed to provide water to 110 minor irrigation tanks in Kuppam and Palamaner constituencies and stabilise an ayacut of 6,300 acres. The government is now planning to extend the network to every tank in Kuppam constituency.

Following the Chief Minister’s directions, officials surveyed the four mandals and prepared separate proposals. In Ramakuppam, works to supply water to 128 tanks are estimated at Rs 101.83 crore. Another Rs 78 crore has been proposed for 87 tanks in Santhipuram and Rs 63.57 crore for 107 tanks in Kuppam mandal.

In Gudupalle, 96 tanks are proposed to be linked to the system. The government is also planning to convert the Kallivanka tank into a reservoir. A combined proposal of Rs 207 crore has been prepared for these works. The expansion also comes as industrial activity gathers pace at Pogurupalle in Gudupalle mandal, where around 30 major industries and industrial parks are reportedly coming up. The government plans to use HNSS water to meet industrial requirements as well.

Meanwhile, Naidu will visit Kuppam on September 21 and 22. On Monday, he will reach Tumsi village and proceed to the HNSS canal near Gundisettipalli to offer Jalaharathi.

He will later lay the foundation stone for a Rythu Bazar in Kuppam municipality, address a public meeting at Kothapeta and launch development projects.

He will also attend a programme at Kuppam railway station and flag off the Dadar-Puducherry Express. On September 22, he will participate in programmes in Santhipuram mandal before leaving for Bengaluru.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Pradeep Vennelakanti

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