Rayala Cheruvu cries for attention

Tirupati: Rayala Cheruvu, one of the ancient and historical tank is now subjected to severe neglect by successive governments. Great ruler Krishna Devarayulu of Vijayanagaram dynasty took steps to dig this tank located in Ramachandrapuram near Tirupati and was named after him. It was located in a picturesque view between two hills.

Once the tank was spread in about 1,500 acres, now confined to just 42 acres. In 1950, the State government took over this tank but never looked at it. It was filled with silt up to 40 feet. As a result, in the surrounding areas ground water levels have depleted and now water is available at 200 feet as against 50 feet in the past. The tank bund was built like a gallery with huge stones.

Presently, the tank is having a capacity of 2 TMC water and was said to be one of the biggest tanks in the state. The tank will meet drinking and irrigation needs of six mandals – Vedurukuppam, Ramachandrapuram, Vadamalapet, Renigunta, Tirupati Rural, and Chandragiri besides it serves as a good percolation tank for borewells. The catchment area of tank is about 900 acres.

The farmers in the village were saying that with proper maintenance of tank and repairs are completed it can provide drinking and irrigated water to about 2,000 acres.

Vedurukuppam, Panapakam channels are under repair now. If the repairs are done and bring them into use along with some other channels at the lower side, more acres will get irrigated water from the tank, said president of Rayala Cheruvu Water Society Chekuri Ananda Naidu.

Speaking to The Hans India, he said no government has considered the problems of Rayala Cheruvu. Recently, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has given an assurance that this tank will be linked with Handri-Neeva through lifts, which will bring past glory to it. Government will release more funds for removing the silt in the tank also as it facilitates groundwater levels in the surrounding villages to increase.

Meanwhile, steps to improve the tank as a tourist spot were not moving at a brisk pace. So far only boating facility was provided. One private company was entrusted with boating activity had provided 3 pedal boats, 3 kayaks and one motor boat. On Sundays and holidays, sizeable number of visitors were visiting the place. The developer was also planning to establish a floating restaurant soon, said District Tourism Officer DV Chandramouli Reddy.

He said, introduction of adventure sports was under active consideration and interested parties have come and made a feasible study also. Steps are being taken to increase awareness among people, he maintained.

The waiting area for public and toilets are also to be established. Nowadays, it has become a lover’s spot. Security also to be tightened as there was drunkards menace. If the govt and district administration focus their attention on this tank they can develop it as a beautiful tourist spot near the pilgrim city.

By V Pradeep Kumar