By: P. Laxma Reddy
Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao has directed officials to complete the construction of the Kanthanapally barrage across the Godavari River within three years. He also told them to ensure that the water will be released from the Devadula lift irrigation system for nine months in a year.
The CM along with deputy CM Kadiyam Srihari, irrigation minister T Harish Rao, Finance minister E Rajendar and irrigation and revenue officials visited the Kanthanpally and Devadula project sites, on the banks of Godavari River near Eturunagaram on Sunday.
He ordered to them make sure that water from the Kanthanapally reservoir is released to Kakatiya canal during the second phase. He also ordered the establishment of a 250 MW hydel power plant at Kanthanapally soon.
KCR spent about 30 minutes at the Kanthanapally project site and interacted with the irrigation officials regarding the topography of the and and the project maps of their surrounding areas.
Later, he left for the Devadula project site where he chaired an internal review meeting with the officials and public representatives on the progress of the Devadula and Kanthanapally project, along with the progress of Mission Kaklatiya and Water Grid schemes.
Speaking at the meeting, the CM had reportedly stressed the need to utilise the water available in the Pranahita, Indravathi and Godavari rivers to irrigate the parched lands in Karimnagar, Warangal, Khammam and Nalgonda districts.
It is said that KCR had assured the construction of houses and Rs 5 lakh compensation to each of the Kanathanapally project oustees. In addition to this, he said a land of same area will be given to the people who had given their land for the project. Regarding reducing the height of the barrage, he said that officials would study the technical feasibility of reducing the height.
Officials have said that Devadula project needs around Rs 11,000 crore for its completion of the third phase, Kanthanapally requires around Rs 2,000 crore.
Smita Sabharwal, additional secretary to CM, district collector Vakati Karuna and other officials attended the meeting.
Utilisation of water resources
■ Kanthanapally barrage will ensure water availability for the water intake of Devadula project in the first phase
■ Upon completion of these phases of Devadula LI project, over 6.5 lakh acres of fresh ayacut will be created in Warangal, Karimnagar and Nalgonda districts by releasing 38.18 TMC of water
■ In the second phase, water will be released from the reservoir to Kakatiya canal of SRSP for lands under the SRSP ayacut in Palakurthi, Mahabubabad and Dornakal Assembly constituencies in Warangal
Source: The New Indian Express