Take up Varikapudisala project works in Palnadu, Jagan tells Irrigation officials

Amaravati: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy directed the officials to take up the construction works of the Varikapudisala Irrigation Project in Palnadu region.

He stated that all phases in the irrigation project must be completed in single phase itself.

Chief Minister held a review meeting with the officials of Irrigation department at his residence at Tadepalli on Thursday.

Jagan said, though there were floods following heavy rains, water could not be properly utilised and most of it was left into the drain.

More precaution should be taken in utilisation of flood waters and to minimise its flow into the sea.

Such situations could be averted if we estimate that floods would be for 30 to 40 days instead of the present convention of 120 days annually.

It would be better if we plan for storing and diverting flood waters with the assumption that floods would be only for a month instead of four months, he told the officials.

This will keep our preparedness in full gear and all projects depending on Krishna flood waters will be stored before they are released into the sea.

We have to talk with the Odisha Government if necessary to resolve inter-state issues, he said while reviewing Vamsadhara and other projects involving the two states.

He enquired about the status of various projects of the region. The fruits of Jalayagnam were received and for the first time about 44,000 cusecs of water was drawn from Pothireddypadu Head Regulator, the officials informed.

However, water could not be supplied to Rayalaseema in the desired measure due to non completion of river lining works, they added.

He directed the officials to take up works to develop green cover over Palnadu region of Guntur district and asked the officials to start works for construction of Varikapudisala Project in this region.

The previous governments have not taken care to improve the drinking and irrigation water problems in the region, he said.

A Special Officer should be appointed and relief and rehabilitation works should be carried out for all those affected during the recent floods, the Chief Minister stated.

The officials have said that about 600 acres of land is needed for Chinthalapudi Lift irrigation Works and land acquisition is also a problem. The Chief Minister has asked the officials to ensure that drinking water sources are not polluted due to aquaculture.

There should not be any dispute between districts on waterfront, he said and asked the officials to prepare district wise reports on irrigation and priorities should be placed depending on the work needs. He reminded the officials that Water Grids at Uddanam should be given priority.