Honorable Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao formally inaugurated the Bhakta Ramadasu Project on 31st January-the birth anniversary of the saint poet Ramadasu-and dedicated to the people. The formal inauguration took place at Erragadda Tanda in Kusumanchi mandal of Khammam district by switching on the motor at the pump house of the Lift irrigation Scheme. Amidst jubilant mood the CM also offered special Puja to Krishna water drawn from Paler reservoir and pumped into the canal through lift at Islavath Tanda in Tirumalayapalem mandal. Later CM addressed a huge gathering of farmers in Tirumalayapalem.
Here is a project, which has set a record for itself being the first of its kind in the country to have been completed ahead of schedule. Designed to irrigate about 60,000 acres, the project is completed in eleven months time. This paves way for a golden harvest in the hitherto parched lands. This amply proves that the irrigation projects are on fast track similar to power projects and Mission Bhagiratha. In the process 19 Lakhs acres of additional Ayucut has been brought under irrigation in just two and half years. There is upbeat victory mood in the whole of irrigation department.
The new State of Telangana, which was formed two and half years ago has achieved another landmark milestone. The state government, which could successfully pull out the state from power crisis in a record time, is also in the process of completing the works on Mission Bhagiratha aimed at supplying drinking water through pipes to every household, on a fast track. The state government is also creating a record of sorts in completing the irrigation projects, which are very essential to the people, on schedule. It was thought that soon after the formation of Telangana State, it might take three years to come out of the severe power crisis. But, thanks to vision and efforts put up by the Chief Minister, the State could come out of the problem within 9 months after formation of the State and the state is able to supply uninterrupted power supply since then. The state government originally planned to supply drinking water to every household under Mission Bhagiratha before the next assembly elections. But, the clear indications are, that, the works will be over by this December end itself! The state government is also expediting the irrigation works. Finding that there is a lot of delay is taking place in tender process, preparations of the designs and land acquisition, the state government has brought in several reforms in these areas. Laying of pipelines, construction of the Sub Stations, Approach Channels and Pump Houses construction were taken up simultaneously. This has resulted in completing the Bhakta Ramadasu Lift Irrigation Scheme in Khammam district in a record time. This project is going to be role model for other irrigation projects in the State.
At a time when irrigation projects mean time delays and years of extended project completion periods, Bhakta Ramadasu project is completed within 11 months from the date of laying foundation stone and is all set to release water. The Chief Minister has laid the foundation stone for Bhakta Ramadasu scheme on February 16, 2016 in Palair in Khammam district. It was targeted that the project will be completed by March 2017. But the project is completed 2 months earlier than expected. It is one of the fastest completed projects in the country. On Jan 31, to commemorate Bhakta Ramadasu Jayanthi, the CM will dedicate the project to the people. The scheme is going to irrigate 60,000 acres in hitherto parched Tirumalayapalem, Kusumanchi, Nelakondapally, Mudigonda, Khammam Rural Mandals under Palair Assembly Constituency represented by Minister Tummala Nageswar Rao and Dornakal Mandal of Mahabubabad district. Agriculture lands DBM 60 under Sriram Sagar project will also be irrigated by this project.
Under this Scheme 5.5 TMC water from Nagarjuna Sagar Balancing Reservoir at Palair is pumped from a height of 125.700 Meters to DBM-60 (Sriram Sagar Project state II) which is at a height of 187 meters and be released at the 45th kilometer. Tenders were invited on e-procurement basis and Mega Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL) was given the contract.
Land acquisition is done through GO NO 123. Land of 128.70 acres is acquired within a short time. The farmers are also given the compensation immediately and they too have also extended their full support. This has resulted in completing 16.50 KM length of main pipeline laying on a record time. The equipment like two motor pumps procured for the Indira Sagar Lift Irrigation Scheme, which are not in use, are utilized for this project and Rs 90.87 Crore is spent on other civil works, motors, pipelines etc.
Works on supplying power to this scheme have also been commenced simultaneously. The Telangana State Transco has planned to set up 7.83 kilometers HT power lines till the Kusumanchi Power House and 132/11 KV Sub Station at the Pump House within 100 days and executed accordingly.
Trail run of the first Pump, Motor and pipeline was conducted on January 23, 2017 successfully. 300 Cu Secs of water was released through this pump to Kakatiya Sub Channel DBM-60. The second trail will be held in February.
There is irrigation facility in Khammam district drawing water from both Godavari and Krishna rivers. But some Mandals under Paliar are facing water scarcity. Though there are crops all over the district, lands in these mandals turn arid patches. To facilitate water canals were also dug under SRSP stage-II. This is also the last Ayucut under SRSP. However never water could be drawn through SRSP. Never the water flow crossed Warangal District boundaries. Understanding the plight, the Chief Minister has asked the officials to make plans for the supply of water to these mandals for irrigation. It was proposed to lift water from Paler reservoir and pump in to SRSP canal. The Chief Minister has immediately given an administrative sanction and released the funds too. He himself laid the foundation stone and reviewed the progress of works regularly. While from one side the project work was in progress, simultaneously, repair work on SRSP canal was undertaken. In addition to irrigated water through canal system, it is also planned to fill the tanks. The ground water levels will also go up and the entire climatic change in Paler area will change for better.
The CM said he is happy that he is able to give the project to people in Paler earlier than expected as a thanks giving for electing Tummala Nageswara Rao with landslide majority in the By-poll. Similarly, the government will also complete all the irrigation projects on time in the State as a gift to the people of the State who gave a massive mandate to TRS in the last elections said CM.
Being an ardent devotee of Rama, Bhakta Ramadasu, while he was Tahasildar of this area during 17th Century built the temple for him in Bhadrachalam facing lots of problems. While Ramadasu built temple being an ardent devotee of Rama, KCR because of his affection and love to the people of Paler built this project. That is how the project is named after him as Bhakta Ramadasu Project. January 31 is celebrated as Ramadasu Birth Anniversary and appropriately the project is being inaugurated coinciding his birthday and is dedicated to the people. On this day Government is officially celebrating the birthday celebrations on a large scale.
The Telangana movement took place mainly for water and the state government has fixed irrigation as its top priority. More funds are allocated in the Budget for Irrigation only. The government has completed on going projects in Mahbubnagar district, which was known for frequent famine and migration. The region is brimming with water now. It is a celebration mood in the irrigation department with Mahaboobnagar getting water and with the Bhakta Ramadasu project’s early completion. The successful completion of these projects would give further boost to the other major irrigation projects like the Palamoor and Kaleshwaram Projects.
Source: http://jwalasmusings.blogspot.in