Irrigated area to expand next kharif

Srikakulam: For the ensuing kharif and rabi seasons, irrigated area would be enhanced in the district in addition to existing ayucut with the completion of both major and medium irrigation projects -Thotapalli canals extension works, modernisation of Madduvalasa reservoir and canals, Vamasadhara project- availability of water in lift irrigation schemes.

In the district Vamsadhara, Narayanapuram anicut, Thotapalli barrage and Thotapalli reservoir are major irrigation projects. Madduvalasa Phase-1, Lift irrigation schemes and off-shore reservoir are medium irrigation projects.

At present under Vamsadhara project, 2,30,480 acres are being cultivated in kharif season and another 25,000 acres of additional area would be covered from next kharif season, then the total area enhanced would be 2,55,480 acres.

Under Thotapalli reservoir existing cultivated area is 54,000 acres and another 9,800 acres would be covered from next kharif and the total increased area would be 63,800 acres. Existing ayucut area under Thotapalli barrage is 44,859 acres and another 1,000 acres would be covered under it from next season.

Total existing ayucut under major projects is 3,66,392 acres and it would be enhanced to to 4,02,192 acres from next season. At present ayucut under Madduvalasa is 24,877 acres and another 12,500 acres of additional area would be covered. Ayucut under lift irrigation schemes is 25,000 acres and another 10,000 acres  would be covered. 

Water would be available from off-shore reservoir  for 24,800 acres from coming rabi season, then the total area under these projects would reach up to 97,177 acres. The total cultivated area would be enhanced to 4,99,369 acres with inclusion of 83,100 new ayucut.

“With the completion of all works, we can provide water to tail end areas,” superintending engineer of irrigation department TV Seshagiri Rao told The Hans India. “With new ayucut, crop productivity would be increased in the district”, joint director of agriculture deoartment G Rama Rao said. 

By Chowdari Lakshmana Rao