Madduvalasa project cries for attention in Srikakulam

Srikakulam: Madduvalasa reservoir project is one of the oldest irrigation project in the district. Built in 1967, the project was named after Gorle Sriramulu Naidu irrigation project.

The project is in Madduvalasa village in Vangara mandal and its catchment area is spread over in both Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts. The prime source of water for the reservoir is Vegavathi and Suvarnamukhi rivers.

Total ayacut area under the project is 30,000 acres in Vangara, Regidi, Rajam, Santhakaviti, G Sigadam, Ponduru and Laveru mandals in the district. As per irrigation projects maintenance manual, one deputy executive engineer, assistant executive engineers, junior executive engineers, electricians, lushkars, watchmen, technicians are required but only one person who is a fourth-class employee is looking after the entire project maintenance.

For the last several years all the employees of different categories retired from the services and new candidates not recruited in the place of retired people.

Due to lack of proper maintenance, of the total 11 gates, three were damaged, iron ropes, regulators, stoppers, electric wires and supply lines were not working properly.

Reservoir bund was also damaged and cracks appeared at several points all along the bund. The gates are essential during floods to release water into the river to avoid damage. Three gates are not working and it will cause further damage if inflows are entered into the reservoir suddenly.

"We are maintaining continuous vigil on the project mainly during rainy season and staff members are not available sufficiently at the project," said executive engineer of Madduvalasa project K Pradeep Kumar.