Falling water level at Srisailam worries farmers

Srisailam Project: Farmers in Rayalaseema are getting agitated over the falling water level in the Srisailam reservoir because of the ‘indiscriminate’ power generation by both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, as also lack of rainfall in June and July last year. As a result they are facing hardship to raise crops.

Release of water for drinking to Rayalaseema besides power generation is severely impacting the farmers causing huge loss to them because of withering crops. Representatives of several farmers/people’s organisations have been agitating taking a stand that power should be generated only when there is sufficient water in the reservoir. In an interesting development, experts are expressing anxiety over safety of Srisailam dam, particularly its crucial part of Plunge Pool, which has developed pits of 100 feet deep, as proved by a survey taken up in 2013. These pits have not been repaired so far. The Srisailam Right and Left canals will have water only if Plunge Pool is properly maintained.

The experts allege that the Kurnool CE’s office is neglecting the issue and instead submitting 15 proposals estimated to cost Rs70 crore to the government last year to provide safety to the right canal. The experts feel that the recommendations of the expert committee on Plunge Pool submitted in 2014 after a visit have been ignored, instead of calling for repairs.

It is estimated that the Srisailam project management, besides the staff salaries and repairs will cost Rs.200 crore a year. Because of faulty estimates and proposals submitted by theofficials the amount is not crossing even Rs 30 crore. Last year the CE’s office submitted proposals costing Rs 70 crore. The government issued orders releasing Rs 28 crore. The CE’s office in July last year sent proposals to the government seeking release of Rs 33.78 crore for strengthening the Right canal and other repairs, in the light of the canal becoming weak following the 2009 floods.