Rajamahendravaram: 9,500 encroachments on canal bunds to be removed

Rajamahendravaram: For the first time, Water Resources Department (WRD) is taking steps to demolish all encroachments on the canal bunds of Eastern and Central deltas in the district.

The length of canals in the two deltas is 2,400kms. WRD has identified 9,500 encroachments on the canal bunds posing problem for free flow of water in the canals. As a result, low-lying areas are submerging and paddy fields under the canals catchment are not getting water for cultivation properly.

WRD has identified the encroachments through survey and was astonished after seeing the unauthorised constructions on canal bunds.

The encroachments came up on a massive scale with the support of some political leaders and negligent of the WRD officials.

The encroachers constructed pucca buildings with electrical supply also. Cattle sheds, buddies, thatched houses, chicken and mutton shops, studios, bike mechanic shops etc are seen on the canal bunds. Some are getting thousands of rupees as monthly rents.

A total 4,800 encroachments identified on Ramachandrapuram and Amalapuram canal bunds which falls under central delta and 4,700 encroachments along the canal between Dowleswaram and Kakinada passing through Ravulapalem, Kotipalli, Anaparthi, Biccavolu, Dwarapudi areas. According to sources, Collector D Muralidhar Reddy also gone through the encroachments and decided to demolish all the structures on the two canals.

WRD, Panchayat Raj and Revenue departments will take up the demolition task with the police help, if necessary. Notices were served to the encroachers in this regard.