Groundwater levels dip alarmingly in West Godavari

Eluru: The District Collector K Bhaskar directed the irrigation officials to take necessary steps to supply irrigation water to 4 lakh acres during next kharif season through Tadipudi and Chintalapudi Lift irrigations schemes in the district.

He reviewed the irrigation and progress of other projects in the district at a meeting held here on Saturday. While reviewing the projects, he stated that the ground water levels are in an alarmingly low in the district.

Earlier, it has recorded 8 metres below and now it has depleted to 180 metres in the district. If the two Lift irrigation Schemes were not completed, the upland area will suffer from severe drought, he warned.

In view of the alarming situation, he directed the officials to complete the pending works during next four months. He directed Eluru RDO Chakradhar Rao to inspect the Tadeipudi Lift Irrigation Scheme jurisdiction lands where 1180 structures, concrete works should complete or not and submit a report on the work progress. He firmly said that at any cost, the Tadipudi lift should supply irrigation water to the next khariff season without fail.

He pointed out that under CLIS except for 11 acres, the remaining land acquisition has been completed and by Monday Land acquisition notification should be completed, he directed.

He warned the officials that the work performance of the officers should be improve within a week or action will be initiated against those guilty. He directed them to complete the Ponangi Punta irrigation channel works by the summer season.

The Collector said that as the rabi crop nearing completion, the canals will be closed from March 29 in the district. This will enable the contractors to take up modernisation works.

He directed the officials to complete the remaining 62 works after March 29 without fail. He also directed the officials that no farmer should be on the road for want of water and questioned the official's concern about the construction of a bridge at Balive village on the banks of Tammileru rivulet. He said that to approve the design it was taken up four weeks.

Referring to the housing programme, the collector said that a plan has been submitted with a cost of Rs 239 crore to the government to construct houses to every eligible poor families by acquiring lands and other basic facilities.

Special Collector (Land Acquisition) Bhanu Prasad, Joint Collectors Pulipati Koteswara Rao, MH Sheriff, DRO Katta Hymavathi, Polavaram SE Srinivasa Yadav, Irrigation SE Srinivasa Rao participated in the programme.