Remove encroachments along canals: Dy CM

Kakinada: Deputy Chief Minister Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose on Thursday directed the officials to remove encroachments on canals to provide irrigation water to second crop in ayacut of 4.31 lakh acres in East Godavari district.

Speaking at Irrigation Advisory Board meeting at Collectorate here, Bose suggested the irrigation department officials to coordinate with revenue department in this regard for proper utilisation of water.

He said 30,000 acres under medium irrigation and 1.22 lakh acres under minor irrigation would be allowed for second crop in the district. Speaking on closure of canals for taking delta modernisation works, he said the canals will be closed from March 31, 2020 to June 10, 2020 for a period of 70 days after Rabi crop.

Social Welfare Minister Pinepae Viswaroop said that delay in execution of delta modernisation works should be avoided by dividing them into small works for execution.

Agriculture minister Kurasala Kanna Babu said that modernisation works should be prioritized during closure with an amount of Rs 300 crores and weed removal also should be taken for free flow of water in case of floods.

He advised the farmers to go for short duration crops for rabi season. He also asked the irrigation officials to strengthen the weak bunds of rivers. District Collector D Muralidhar Reddy said that efforts would be made for suppling of drinking water to the villages during canals closure period. Earlier tributes were paid to diseased in boat tragedy in Godavari river by observing a two minutes silence.