High Level Canal modernisation to go beyond 2019

Anantapur: The 10-year-old Tungabhadra High Level Canal (HLC) modernisation project, which had faced several obstacles, is now starting afresh with the termination of old contractors and giving way to new contractors to complete the remaining 25 per cent of the HLC main canal.

The government, in the latest move, has decided to do away with old contracting agencies and to invite new tenders to complete the decade old modernisation project. However, the project is unlikely to be completed by 2019. The old contractors could not complete the modernisation works as water flows in the canal for 8 months in a year. 

HLC modernisation project was launched by the then Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy. There were hurdles for the works after his death. The problems relate to cost escalation of the project and the inability of the old contractors to complete works with the old rates. 

The reluctance of farmers to declare a crop holiday to facilitate completion of works has also been the prime reason for the delay. The modernisation was estimated at Rs 450 crore. It was launched in 2008 and is unlikely to be completed by 2018 as was planned.

The authorities say that the modernisation project is unlikely to be completed even by 2019 as works are progressing on a snail's pace in several packages. The project works are likely to drag beyond 2019 as the government has decided to terminate the old contracting agencies and call for fresh tenders, says HLC Superintendent Engineer M Surender Reddy while interacting with The Hans India.

The modernisation works became necessary due to decline in water flows from the allocated 32.5 tmcft to 22 to 26 tmcft and also due to reduction in reservoir intake capacity from 132 tmcft to 100 tmcft at the Tungabhadra dam in Karnataka. The modernisation project involved strengthening of canal bunds and widening them, arresting seepage of water, de-silting of the canal and other related works. It has six packages.

HLC engineer sources stated that in the first package, 53.53% works were completed and Rs 30 crore works are yet to be completed. In package-2, 52.72% works were completed and Rs 37 crore works worth are yet to be completed.

In package-3, 46.12% works were completed and a balance of Rs 37.5 crore are yet to be completed, in package-4, 54.54% works were over and Rs 45 crore works pending, package-5, 21.62% works were completed and Rs 44 crore worth works are to be completed and under package-6, 47.82% works had been completed and Rs.46 crore worth works are yet to be completed. In all, Rs 240 crore worth works are now under progress. 

In the past after the water is released from the Tungabhadra dam, it used to take 3 days to arrive in Andhra Pradesh whereas after modernisation the water would reach within 24 hours to AP side, it is said. The modernisation of the canal would help in preventing seepage losses up to 10 tmcft of water.