New lift irrigation project on Krishna River soon

Amaravati: The state government is planning to construct a new lift irrigation scheme on the Krishna River at Jaggaiahpet in Krishna district to provide water for irrigation needs of West Krishna. Minister for Water Resources Devineni Umamaheswara Rao disclosed the details to the members during the Question Hour in the Assembly on Wednesday.

According to details, the government is planning to construct a lift irrigation scheme at Mukteswarapuram village in Jaggaiahpet mandal in the downstream of the Pulichintala project. The project would be constructed in two stages. As many as 10 tmc feet of water could be lifted from the lift irrigation scheme. As per the plans, the scheme would be completed by December this year.

Nearly, 56,000 acres is expected to be brought under irrigation under this scheme. Presently, several villages in Jaggaiahpet mandal are facing scarcity of water for drinking and irrigation needs. Though the Krishna River is very near to these villages, they are not getting water for irrigation and drinking purpose. In this backdrop, the government has taken the initiative to implement the scheme.  

Jaggaiahpet MLA Sriram Rajagopal said that the government should complete the project as early as possible. Though the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) released water, the farmers of Telangana have been lifting water illegally by using motors. He asked the government to take proper action in this regard.