Tungabhadra canal works gather pace
The modernisation works became necessary due to decline water inflows from the allocated 32.50 tmcft to 22 to 26 tmcft, apart from reduction in reservoir intake capacity from 132 tmcft to 100 tmcft at the Tungabhadra dam in Karnataka.
Anantapur: The modernisation works of much delayed Tungabhadra High Level Canal (HLC) gathered pace and are poised to be completed by 2018. These works were launched in 2008 during the tenure of Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy.
The modernisation works became necessary due to decline water inflows from the allocated 32.50 tmcft to 22 to 26 tmcft, apart from reduction in reservoir intake capacity from 132 tmcft to 100 tmcft at the Tungabhadra dam in Karnataka.
The works involved strengthening and widening of canal bunds, arresting seepage, de-silting of the canal and others. The project which was supposed to be completed by 2010 dragged its feet to 2016.
After the death of YS Rajasekhara Reddy the works were executed at Snail’s pace and finally they came to a grinding halt due to the contractors’ reluctance to continue works, apart from issues like poor allocation of funds, non-payment of bills etc.
After the TDP government came to power, it decided to go ahead with the modernisation works including canal lining, plugging leakages and strengthening of banks. The works will benefit farmers in Karnataka, Anantapur, Kadapa and Kurnool.
The works have now been resumed and contractors agreed to complete them at old rates of 2008. Speaking to The Hans India, HLC superintending engineer T V Seshagiri Rao said 53.53 per cent of works were completed in the first phase and works worth Rs 30 crore were pending.
The modernisation works will see an increased intake of inflows from 2,800 cusecs to 4,200 cusecs. Widening of canal will increase water intake by another 4 to 5 tmc ft, apart from bringing down seepage loss by 20 percent.
In the past after the water is released from the Tungabhadra dam it used to take three days to arrive in AP, whereas after modernisation works the water would reach within 24 hours,” he explained.
By:Ravi P Benjamin
