Expert panels to oversee irrigation works in AP

The committees will work on various shortcomings identified in almost all the deltas

Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to appoint expert committees to oversee the works needed to be carried out for irrigation projects under various river basins in the State.

Speaking to the The Hans India, Andhra Pradesh Major Irrigation Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao said on Friday, “We are giving final shape to the appointment of expert committees, to identify and carry out the much needed works to strengthen the irrigation systems in the State.”

At present, saving the standing crops of the current Kharif season was the top priority as there was extensive damage to the standing crops in the north coastal Andhra Pradesh due to the Hudhud cyclone, the minister said. He said he had directed the irrigation officials for optimum utilisation of the available water at various reservoirs in saving the standing crops. “Following this, we want to work on various shortcomings that are identified in almost all the deltas, and they need immediate attention,” he added.

In particular, the Srisailam Right Bank Canal (SRBC) has silted up resulting in the difficulty in water flowing to its full capacity. Similarly, works in canal systems under the Vamsadhara and Nagavali, the Krishana, the Godavari and the Penna rivers too needed to be carried out, he added. “Hence, we have already finalised two expert committees one each for Krishna-Godavari and Vamsadhara-Nagavali. One more expert committee will be finalised soon to address the issues of Thungabhdra, Penna and Rayalaseema region,” he added. The expert committees would identify and monitor the works to be carried out from February to June next year to strengthen the irrigation networks in the State, he added.