Bhadradri-Rajahmundry waterway on the anvil

Bhadrachalam: The proposal to develop inland waterway between Kakinada and Puducherry came as a blessing to residents of Bhadrachalam who were long-awaiting for Godavari-sea linkage inland waterway. The Central government’s decision raised hopes in the locals who were waiting for the development of Godavari waterway. It may be noted that River Godavari flows at a length of 220 km in Khammam district. As per the Centre’s proposal, a 171 km length waterway would be developed on the River Godavari between Bhadrachalam and Rajahmundry. There were also plans to develop Bhadrachalam-Dummugudem waterway.

People stopped using the waterway 50 years ago. Before the bifurcation of the State, government conducted surveys on the development of River Godavari as a waterway. But the proposals did not materialize.

During the British rule, goods were transported through Godavari river. Ships used to travel between Dummugudem and Rajahmundry since 1853. Gourdeveipeta and Vararamachandra Puram were the main trading centres along the river in those days. As hundreds of persons died due to collusion of boats near Bhadrachalam in 1953, the government constructed a bridge on the Godavari. Since then, road transport gained prominence and the waterway was neglected.

The officials recently proposed to develop the waterway as Polavaram project will submerge the existing roads at several places. The officials also conducted a survey in this regard. The locals too urged the government to develop the waterway as there was no rail connectivity to the region.